On September 11th Friday, Sarvodaya-Fusion launched an online trading platform named FarmerNet (www.farmer.lk) to streamline the trading of produce by small scale farmers. The initiative uses mobile phones to connect buyers and sellers through a virtual trading floor using SMS technology. The process is very simple; a seller sends a SMS with information on available quantity, expected price, and quality and expiry date about produce for sale to an online database while wholesalers also send their requirements through a SMS to the same database. An algorithm compares the variable and when a match is found, sends a SMS to both parties with information on produce to be traded and contact details. The transactions can also be tracked on the FarmerNet website.
The premise of the initiative is to create an efficient marketplace, using information technology to reduce transaction costs. The buyers and sellers can exchange information about produce efficiently while bypassing middlemen. FarmerNet is a culmination of a journey that started by Sarvodaya- Fusion in 2006 with the partnership of volunteers, industry experts, and NGOs. A brief time line:
- 2006 - Fusion set up Agri-clinic project, as part of the Village Information Centre (VIC) initiative. Initial feedback suggested farmers were overwhelmed by the complexity of using available IT systems.
- 2007 - Potential of a mobile based solution was first surfaced at a presentation by LIRNEasia at National Telecentre Alliance conference.
- 2008 FarmerNet project was conceived.
- National Development Bank pioneered the eZ Pay mobile banking system, proving that a mobile solution is a viable option.
- Spot Trading Concept, the core strategy underpinning the trading platform is developed under the auspices of Sarvodaya-UK.
- In conjunction with Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (SEEDS), Fusion carries out a pilot testing project with rural farmers & small traders at Nuwara Eliya. The results confirm the potential of FarmerNet as a viable enterprise.
- 2009 Farmnet initiative is implemented
- Farmernet completes the final beta testing and declares the platform ready for implementation.
- A public awareness programme is initiated in preparation for the launch of FarmerNet.
FarmerNet is another pioneering project in Sri Lanka, created by Sarvodaya-Fusion to promote the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of rural communities. Prototype development was sponsored by ICTA (ICT Agency of Sri Lanka), and implemented in partnership with Saber Technologies, and Lanka Bell Pvt Ltd.
Posted by: Harsha Goonewardana
FarmerNet blog: http://farmernet.wordpress.com/
FarmerNet flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39690621@N05/
