Strengthening the Philippine Agricultural Market Information Service (MIS) at the local level: the case of vegetables

This paper analyzed the agricultural market information service (MIS) in the Philippines at the local level and recommended ways on how to design and implement an MIS that will address the market information needs of farmers. Specifically, it (1) discussed basic MIS concepts and lessons learned in other countries; (2) assessed the institutional set-up and delivery system of providing market information at the national and local levels in the Philippines, the problems encountered, and recent MIS initiatives under the AFMA; (3) analyzed a local-level MIS drawing experiences from the pilot implementation of a vegetable-based MIS in Bukidnon province (Northern Mindanao) [Philippines]; and (4) put forward measures to strengthen the local MIS. MIS aims to provide, on a regular basis, timely, accurate and reliable market information useful for improving decisions of target users. Information could be wide-ranging such as prices, quantities traded and available stocks, and others that support the production and marketing decisions of producers and marketers. Aside from the latter, target users could include development organizations, the academe and researchers, policy-makers, and the general public. An MIS can be managed by the government a development assistance project, a private agribusiness enterprise, or a member-based organization, and business service provider. Modes of disseminating information include all media forms, interaction programs, and internet. In developing countries, MIS is usually part of agricultural programs being implemented. Some are initiated through external development assistance and then integrated in the operations of the agricultural industry. A few are run by private agribusiness like the e-Choupale of India or by service providers like the B2B e-commerce and its AgriPrice website. At the local level and where communication infrastructure is inadequate, traditional methods of disseminating information like radio, bulletin boards, and printed materials are still widely used. While some MISs have been reported as useful to farmers, they also encounter difficulties. Some public sector MISs initiated through external development assistance run into sustainability problems. The Philippines' agricultural MIS is basically the Agricultural Marketing Information System (AGMARIS) of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) under the Department of Agriculture (DA). However, other DA units like the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and Agriculture and Fisheries Information (AFIS) are also expected to provide marketing advisory services to agricultural clients. Under the AFMA, market information delivery is part of the National Information Network (NIN). BAS is mandated to serve as the central information source and server of the NIN. The recent WB-supported 'Diversified Farm Income and Market Development Project' recommended, among others, the establishment of National Agricultural and Fisheries Market Information Service (AFMIS) and local MIS. It was suggested that the vegetable-based MIS implemented on a pilot scale in Bukidnon province in 2003-2004 through an FAO-funded project 'Diversification of Farm Income and Market Development' be considered as one model for implementing local MIS. The Bukidnon MIS initially focused on providing price information to growers of 11 vegetable types in Impasugong and Lantapan municipalities. Using the modified AGMARIS, it involved the participation of BAS, AMAD (regional AMAS), the farmers and their association (private sector). Initial appraisal indicated that the farmers appreciated the MIS and expressed the need for it to be continuously supported by DA. Based on the Bukidnon experience considerations on strengthening the local MIS are presented.