Improving Agricultural Market Performance:

Developing Agricultural Market Information Systems

Figure 25: Type of Market Information Required by Respondents

Source: Online Survey Findings

Overall the level of satisfaction with MIS services among the respondents is rather mixed as

shown in Figure 26. The number who expressed satisfaction is only slightly higher than those

not satisfied. A sizeable proportion of the respondents are neutral in terms of their rating of the

services provided. The quality of data provided seems to be one of the main reasons cited for

dissatisfaction with existing MIS. For instance, there were complaints about the accuracy and

reliability of the data disseminated. This may partly attributable to the fact that most of the

providers reported obtaining information and data via interviews with market players and not

directly based on actual transactions which have taken place. Having transited from a paper-

based system for recording and transmission of data to using digital technology may have

speeded up information dissemination whilst reducing the scope for human error. However, the

question of reliability and accuracy of data appears not to have been solved because parties with

a specific interest, e.g. traders are the source of the information.

92%

69%

62%

54%

23%

15%

Price

Quality

Trade volume

Market trends

Quantities offered and demanded

Services linking buyers and sellers

Weather forecasts

Agricultural extension advice

Transport costs

Inventory