Presentation by Sintayehu Alemayehu, Markets ICT & Early Warning System Advisor, MercyCorps Session: Driving Livestock Development with ICTs on 6 Nov 2013 ICT4Ag, Kigali, Rwanda

1. Improving livestock market
information flow and early
warning systems for pastoral
communities using ICT
By: Sintayehu Alemayehu
ICT4Ag Conference
November 2013
Kigali, Rwanda

2. 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

3. Why are Livestock Information Systems Needed?
Rationale
• Pastoralists need near real-time
information for risk management
decision making
• New communication and information
technologies can improve information
delivery
– Cell phones
– Internet

4. Traditional Data Streams
Traditional methods of information
delivery
–
–
–
–
Word of mouth
Government
Extension officers
Village elders
• While these are still important, many
times they are not very efficient

5. Objective of NLMIS
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

6. Regional Livestock Markets
Data collection
currently in
32 Markets in
Kenya
42 Markets in
Ethiopia
40 Markets in
Tanzania

7. NLMIS Architecture
Internet
NLMIS Architecture
Country
Data
Ethiopia
Mirror
Server
(MoARD)
Computer
( Web / Email )
Country Analysis
Country LMIS
Data
and Reporting
Ethiopia
Main Server
(ILRI)
Smart
phone
Cell
Cell
Smart
phone
Computer
( Web / Email
Data Collection
Information Delivery
)

8. NLMIS Methodology
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

9. Coding for Data Transfer
Animal Type
Animal Grade

10. Coding and Sending/Requesting Data
Send
SENDING DATA
REQUESTING DATA
Request

11. Training and Dissemination
Field day in local market
Female (in black) practices using SMS
Demonstrating use of cell phone to request data

12. LMIS Entry Portal
http://www.lmiset.net

13. LMIS Reporting System

14. Information Dissemination
■
Television Broadcast
■
SMS
■
Radios
■
Market Boards via Community Information
Centers
■
Bulletins
■
Via e-mail to subscribers

15. Key messages
Message
• 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

16. Livestock Water Monitoring

17. Livestock Water Monitoring

18. Waterhole Monitoring System
Advantages
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

19. Waterhole Monitoring System:
Advantages
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.

20. Waterhole Monitoring System:
Advantages
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/

21. Thank You