Ugandan market information supported by ICT

The workshop outcomes are encouraging! Participants were very enthusiastic about the possibility to set up a two way information system, not only linking farmers to market information but also linking markets to commodity information. This enables trading and accurate information about the commodities that are available. Whereas at present the Uganda Commodity Exchange is testing this Rural Information System in two telecentres in Sheema and Kayunga, the system will be expanded to include eight telecentres by the end of 2006. NAADS and UCE promised to identify possibilities for collaboration in rolling out the system to more centres, and to keep collaborating with the workshop participants.

The workshop was officially opened by the Commissioner for Cooperatives, Ministry of Trade Tourism and Industry (MTTI), Mr. Fred Mwesigye. Mr. Joseph Oryokot, the Technical Service Manager of NAADS and Mr. Wakikona, the Agri-business Advisor of NAADS also gave opening remarks. They both expressed their enthusiasm for actualising the possibilities of cooperation between NAADS and UCE in empowering farmer groups with market information, having shared experiences about the two pilot projects in Sheema and Kayunga districts. They further encouraged participants to make use of the opportunity at hand, saying that the programme is worthwhile and has come at an opportune time and should therefore be looked at with an open mind.
 
The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Moses Kisembo of I-Network Uganda and Mr. Nathan Ducastel of IICD. The expected objectives and outputs of the workshop were:

Objectives of the workshop

• To raise awareness about how farmer groups can be empowered through access to market information  using ICTs
• To share experiences in provision of market information in various districts in Uganda
• A practical presentation of the Rural Information System including lessons learned
• To strategise on how to implement appropriate market information systems in the districts
• To develop a strategy for improved cooperation between NAADS and UCE

• Strategy for future cooperation
• Plans and concepts on actualising the use of ICTs to improve market information systems
• Gathered experiences and lessons learned
• Working Committee

Presentations of real life experiences from grassroots organisations were made by the district representatives from Arua, Kibaale and Hoima, as well as from the two Rural Information Systems pilot centres in Sheema and Kayunga. These focused mainly on opportunities and challenges faced with the existing market information systems. Mr. Arjan de Jager of IICD and Dr. Joseph Oryokot of NAADS gave presentations focusing on a conceptual overview of market information systems, and the mandate and overview of NAADS in regard to market information access respectively.

Presentations were then made on how to explore ICTs in Agriculture. This was done by Mr. Alex Rwego, the Manager of UCE, the core team of UCE, and other representatives from the districts. The status of ICT in Uganda was reviewed by Mr. Moses Kisembo, showing how reliability and high Internet connectivity prices are affecting the use of the Internet in Uganda. He made a comparison to other countries, highlighting the effect this has on our community.

The vision and strategy of the workshop was then explored some more. After this, the participants went into groups to strategise on how to implement marketing and trade information systems in their districts, which was then shared with all participants through group presentations. That concluded the first day of the workshop.

On the second day focus was building on the visions that were discussed the day before. This time, the focus was on selecting a model to apply, developing an Information Strategy, as well as the key stakeholders and partners in competition.

Closing
At the end of the workshop participants agreed to move forward as one under the leadership of the steering committee which includes NAADS and UCE representatives. It was also decided that an online discussion group would be formed under the guidance of IICD so that participants would continue to discuss the issues at hand and more so keep updated on all the progress.