Cambodia Agricultural Market Information Project (CAMIP)

Purpose

To improve agricultural stakeholders’ ability to access, gather, analyze and use information to better respond to market signals. This will lead to improved rural livelihoods through better economic opportunities and access to agricultural services.

Challenge

The RGC has recognized that to reduce poverty, it must directly address challenges within the agricultural sector, since Cambodia’s rural population is heavily reliant on agriculture. Private sector stakeholders as well as relevant government officials within the MAFF have identified the provision of agricultural market information leading to improved marketing networks as a top priority for improving the agriculture sector in Cambodia.

Approach

The project is organized into two components:

1. The first focuses on improving the AMO information system in all its phases, from commodity price collection in the key markets, to basic analysis of the information and then its dissemination to farmers, including improved extension agents’ distribution of market prices.
2. The second focuses on applying price information in market development, such as improved production choices and selling during non-peak periods. Fruits and vegetables were selected to narrow the focus to perishable products, since these require the most frequent and reliable market information.

Project Description

CAMIP has three core objectives:

1. To design and put into place an agricultural market information system (AMIS) that uses appropriate technologies that will be relevant to a wide range of stakeholders. FM radio transmission of time-specific, daily price information in each province provides current and consistent market information for virtually all farmers, traders and market agents. Publications provide less time-specific market information and processes and are also widely accessible by all stakeholders. The use of cellular phones and SMS messaging enables some farmers and most traders to report or determine price information as compiled in the AMO database. The AMO website provides access to market prices locally and around the country, as well as general information such as preparing commodities for sale, grading, packaging and how to determine carrying costs.
2. To train the AMO staff members to effectively maintain the AMIS content. This training allows them to gain a better understanding of (a) data collection processes to ensure accurate data, (b) basic market analysis to enable them to better interpret the data and (c) communication strategies to facilitate improved dissemination of meaningful agricultural market information.
3. To assist farmers in accessing and applying the market information resulting from the development of the AMIS. This involves:
   • using Farmer Marketing Schools to teach farmers about networking with other producers and weighing the benefits of one market versus another
   • bargaining by taking into account the cost of production of a given commodity
   • pre-harvest quality control to ensure minimum quality loss in the days preceding marketing
   • harvesting and post-harvest quality control
   • grading to maximize profitability for premium production
   • packaging to reduce transport damage and costs

Traders participate in training farmers, which increases the likelihood that mutually beneficial relationships will be established.

Results

• Cambodian farmers can generate higher revenues via sorting, grading and bargaining more effectively with traders—because they are able to access a consistent and reputable source of market information.
• AMO and provincial offices can perform the tasks necessary to ensure continuous management and operation of agricultural marketing information services.
• The Department of Agricultural Extension and some NGOs are better able to provide market information to farmers to supplement the more traditional production information more commonly provided.
• Farmers have ready access to a reliable and consistent source of timely market information based on markets in their province.
• AMO officers in each province can collect market information according to a pre-established protocol, and report the results to the central database, either by fax or web-based technologies.
• AMO officers in the provinces and in Phnom Penh are able to understand and explain basic market information terminology and apply that knowledge to current market conditions.
• AMO officers and some NGOs can conduct Farmer Field Schools, to help farmers understand and apply the information produced through the AMIS.

Project Director: Paul Derksen.

Funded by: Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).