December 17, 2008

ACDI/VOCA Launches First Market Information System in Armenia

ACDI/VOCA’s Water-to-Market (WtM) Activity, funded by the Millennium Challenge Account–Armenia, launched the first market information system in Armenia on December 17. The system disseminates information through its website and SMS (short message service).

“The objective of the market information system is to provide market prices of fruit and vegetables to farmers and representatives of all segments of the production and marketing chain. Well-analyzed market information enables farmers to make better planting decisions, including those related to new crops,” said Richard Hurelbrink, ACDI/VOCA-Armenia country director and WtM Activity leader.

The ceremony was attended by the Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Avetisyan, Millennium Challenge Corporation and MCA-Armenia representatives, members of local agricultural associations, banks, producers and processing companies, and smallholder farmers.

At the event, the Armenian Market Information System, or ARMIS, was presented in detail by ACDI/VOCA-Armenia Marketing Specialist Nora Alanakyan. She explained how the system will disseminate information through its website and SMS to enable farmers to negotiate prices with traders based on real-time information on prices.

The system will be useful not only for the farmers but also for representatives of various industry sectors such as processors, wholesalers, retailers, hotels and restaurants, and all others who are interested in receiving accurate information and market dynamics. The system may also provide information on quality, post-harvest technologies and industry innovations through its website.

To find out more about the WtM Activity, click here.