Improving livestock market information flow and early warning systems for pastoral communities using ICT By: Sintayehu Alemayehu
ICT4Ag Conference
November 2013
Kigali, Rwanda
Context
Context
• Lack of a systems for collection, analysis, storage and dissemination of market information
• Livestock Information Network and Knowledge System (LINKS) designed a simple, workable, evidence-based systems for data collection and analysis and user friendly information delivery system in East Africa
• LINKS system incorporated LEWS system and market
information system for improved marketing of livestock and early warning of changing livestock forage conditions.
• LINKS market information system is adopted as a unified national market information system by federal Ministry of Agriculture
Rationale
Why are Livestock Information Systems Needed?
• Pastoralists need near real-time
information for risk management
decision making
• New communication and information
technologies can improve information
delivery
– Cell phones
– Internet
Traditional methods of information
delivery
Traditional Data Streams
– Word of mouth
– Government
– Extension officers
– Village elders
• While these are still important, many
times they are not very efficient
NLMIS
Objective of NLMIS
• Provide near real-time livestock price and volume information to stakeholders to facilitate marketing decisions and early warning
–Pastoralists/livestock producers
–Traders –Government –non-government organizations
Regional Livestock Markets
Data collection currently in
32 Markets in Kenya
42 Markets in Ethiopia
40 Markets in Tanzania
NLMIS Architecture
NLMIS Architecture
Country LMIS
Data
Ethiopia
Main Server
(ILRI)
Internet
Computer
( Web / Email ) Computer
( Web / Email )
Cell Cell Smart
phone Smart
phone
Information Delivery Data Collection
Country Analysis
and Reporting
Country
Data
Ethiopia
Mirror
Server
(MoARD)
Methodology
NLMIS Methodology
• Use of cell phones to send data from markets to make information more timely
• Use of a central server for access of data via cell phone SMS, internet, and other methods – Allows access by all stakeholders
– Provides transparency in the marketplace
• Training of market monitors and stakeholders in use of the system
Coding for Data Transfer
Animal Type Animal Grade
Coding and Sending/Requesting Data
SENDING DATA
REQUESTING DATA
Request Send
Training and Dissemination
Field day in local market
Demonstrating use of cell phone to request data
Female (in black) practices using SMS
LMIS Reporting System
Information Dissemination
■ Television Broadcast
■ SMS
■ Radios
■ Market Boards via Community Information
Centers
■ Bulletins
■ Via e-mail to subscribers
Message
Key messages
• NLMIS market information system automates collecting, analysis, storage and dissemination of livestock price and volume market information
• It provides complete price and volume data based on animal type, breed, age class, gender and grade
• It integrates market information with livestock early warning system and expandable system to other commodities
Livestock Water Monitoring
Livestock Water Monitoring
Advantages
Waterhole Monitoring System
Water monitoring tool:
• Perfect tool to monitor changes in
waterholes water levels on daily basis.
• Consistency in production of waterholes
water levels
• Seasonal trends & anomalies are useful for
decision makers
• Applicable for local and regional water
resources monitoring
• A potential to contribute to national water
resources monitoring capability
Advantages
Waterhole Monitoring System:
Early warning tool:
• Provides early warning on the
conditions of waterholes in the
region.
• Provides early warning for potential
herd migration in search of water
resources.
• Provides early warning for the
potential herd loss due to drought.
Advantages
Waterhole Monitoring System:
Resource management tool for pastoral areas:
– Helps to plan migratory movement based on
availability of water and pasture.
– Helps in resolution of conflicts between tribes
over issues pertaining to water resources.
– Helps in conducting feasibility studies for new
waterhole locations.
Data on Web
– Easy access waterhole water level information
through World Wide Web -
http://watermon.tamu.edu/
Thank You