Using SMS for 2-way field communication and information services in rural Cambodia Cambodia Crop Production and Marketing Project (CCPMP): ASEM Dr Robert Fitzgerald University of Canberra Presentation to the CCPMP Meeting Battambang, Cambodia, 10 February 2009

Objectives Objective C3. To improve post-harvest management, communications along the supply chain and value chain integration for maize and soybean in north-western Cambodia Development of improved communications between different levels of the supply chain using SMS technology

Background Access to accurate market information is fundamental to the operation of equitable and efficient marketing systems In western Cambodia maize and soy bean farmers and traders suffer from poor communications between different levels of the supply chain. Low-cost, reliable and accessible solutions that we match to simple training programs. Our focus on flexible two-way communication systems that can be adapted by different communities of users to meet their particular information and communication needs.

SMS Low-cost mobile messaging system with good coverage in Cambodia SMS server can be available 24 hours/7 days Support for push and pull services –Push: SMS server can send messages to phone user –Pull: a user can request information (Information on demand) from SMS server  Support for users to contribute (e.g. submit price information) and participate (e.g. complete surveys & ask questions/seek advice)

FrontlineSMS Plug-and-play texting solution for NGOs and others which requires them to have little or no technical expertise. FrontlineSMS is the "Swiss Army Knife" of SMS applications FrontlineSMS has been used by NGOs in over fifty countries for a wide range of activities including: –the capture and exchange of vegetable (and coffee) price information –the distribution of weather forecasts –the carrying out of surveys and the reporting and monitoring of disease outbreaks

FrontlineSMS Create and manage all of your SMS-related contact groups Send and receive messages via special on-screen consoles Provides incoming and outgoing message history for each contact Engage with your contact groups - run surveys, via the SurveyManager Run your own text-based information service via the automated ReplyManager Export data to Excel and other programs No need to be on-line - works on any GSM network via your own PC or laptop

Example CCPMPsms PRICE 2. WEATHER 3. NEWS & ALERTS 4. FARM TIPS 5. Q&A 6. SURVEYS 7. HELP ----CCPMPsms----

Information Services (1) Stage 1 Price and market information by region Connect to Cambodian Agricultural Market Information System (CAMIS) database via SMS Farm tips - crop/production information Weather, news and alerts – e.g. TB warnings Requests for information (fax back or mail out) Price submission

Information Services (2) Stage 2 Question and answer services (FAQs) –Send PEST – autoreply with pest information –Send ‘What is the green worm?’ Extension Officer reply ‘Most likely podsucker. Contact XXX and treat with YYY’ Surveys and polls –Farmer survey: Rate your maize crop from 1 – 5 Farmer sends: MAIZECROP 3 –Trader survey: Rate soy bean quality from 1 – 5 Trader sends: SBQUALITY 3 Link buyers and sellers by region –SMS MAIZEBUYER Mr Teo – Ms Rattanak – Local service directories

SMS Servers Pailin Silo CAMBODIA FARMERS GOVT COLLECTORS SILOS NGOS FRONTLINESMS SERVER (PC, MAC or LINUX) TRADERS GSM MODEM MJP

2009 action plan NAMA establish SMS server at Pailin Silo (February) nominate server coordinator SMS relay of CAMIS market information price collection and dissemination for NAMA region develop user training MJP establish SMS server at MJP HQ (February) nominate server coordinator SMS relay of CAMIS market information price collection and dissemination for Samlaut region develop field communication systems develop user training