Improving Agricultural Market Performance:
Developing Agricultural Market Information Systems
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Box 9: FARMGRAIN Crop Bulletin (Maize and Coffee) Published on 30th September 2017
Maize wholesale prices per kilogram in rural markets such as Masindi ranged between UGX 750
and UGX 900 and in urban markets such as Mbale at UGX 900 per kg. However, as the supply
situation improves, it is anticipated that prices will decline in coming weeks, for example to
between UGX 500 and UGX 600 per kg in Kampala. The onset of rains is likely to affect the quality
of maize on the market, as crop with relatively high moisture content is likely to be delivered.
Major exporters offered to buy FAQ coffee at between UGX 5,800 and UGX 6,500 per kilogram but
with locational differences: Kasese (UGX 5,000/kg) and Masaka (UGX 5,000-6000/kg). As a result
of a dry spell, the quality of the new crop is reportedly poor in most of the major producing areas
in Eastern and Central Regions. Areas where the quality of the crop is reported to be good include
Mbarara and Masaka.
Source: Farmgrain website as well as consultations with officials of Farmgrain and NAA
7.2.2 AGRINET: NATIONAL PRIVATE PROVIDER
AgriNet is another private MIS provider which was established in 2008. It collects market
information through its field coordination offices. The location of the field coordination offices
(Figure 39) are very similar to those run by FARMAGAIN. The provision of market information
by AgriNet is linked to other commercial activities including offering commodity marketing
services. It runs an online trade linkage platform called “Kudu”, which facilitates trading via
mobile phones. However, there is no evidence of uptake of this platform. This experience is
similar to other online commodity trading platforms in Africa which are linked to MIS, including
for example ESOKO. In most cases, there is little or no uptake mainly because there is no
guarantee of delivery of traded commodities (Onumah 2012).
Figure 39: Locations of Agrinet Field Coordination Offices in Uganda