Designing distributed agricultural information services for developing countries

In developing countries, agriculture is the largest livelihood provider. Nevertheless, the vast majority of gains by farmers are unsatisfactory despite the efforts put into the agriculture cost inputs. At present smallholder farmers, farmers associations, consumers, intermediaries and supporting organizations (e.g., extension agencies) are often unable to engage effectively in agricultural markets since these markets are prone to inefficiencies. Small and subsistence farmers in particular tend to have unfavorable linkages to markets due to a lack of market orientation. They continue to rely on market information supplied and verified through traditional word-of-mouth approach. Many producers and smaller intermediaries also lack experience to effectively utilize such market information to improve their well-being.