Agricultural market information in developing countries: A literature review

Abstract

In most developing countries, the agricultural industry has the potential to alleviate poverty at a faster rate compared to other sectors. As such, many governments have initiated policies and programme to improve agricultural performance. However, some of these projects have not achieved success because the local agricultural markets are often controlled by a small group of stakeholders who tend to hide information in the market despite having huge market power. This paper aimed to determine the issues and impacts of the lack of market information in developing countries and to provide strategies for solving such problems. Results show that the presence of an oligopsonic market system, current information and communication technology (ICTs), the lack of market infrastructure and gender limitations are the main issues related to a lack of information. In turn, lack of information leads to an inefficient agricultural market, causes negative impacts on market participants, and ultimately leads to harmful socio-economic effects. Thus, to solve these problems, it is necessary to improve capacity building, increase access to ICTs and improve market infrastructure.

Mobile phone use for farm-related activities by ethnic minority farmers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Quang Tri Province, Central Vietnam

“…Smallholders can use mobile phones to access information on technologies and good practices when access to formal education institutions and printing materials is limited [10]. Mobile phones can promote farmers' trading [11], allowing farmers and other parties in remote areas to communicate more easily [12].…”

Export Competitiveness of Indonesian Coffee In Germany

“…Developing countries that are dominated by people with lower middle income have the potential to develop export concentrations, sectors and markets (Osakwe et al, 2018). Governments in developing countries have begun to initiate policies and programs in the context of accelerating economic growth through the agricultural sector (Nugroho, 2021).…”

Factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness for accessing agricultural marketing information by grape smallholder farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania

“…To derive maximum benefits, smallholder farmers need to be knowledgeable about mobile phone use when accessing agricultural marketing information. Studies (Bruns et al , 2022; Kumaravel et al , 2022; Nugroho, 2021; Rahman et al , 2020; Raza et al , 2020) revealed that smallholder farmers used mobile phones to access agricultural marketing information. On the contrary, Dewi et al (2021) and Folitse et al (2018) indicated that farmers relied more on friends, family, neighbors, personal experience and cooperative societies in accessing agricultural marketing information.…”