Promoting Trade Integration in Regional Legume Markets with Mobile Technology
Principal investigator/Lead institution: Dr. Michael Olabisi, Michigan State University
Collaborating institutions: University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Center for Drylands Agriculture, Bayero University, Nigeria
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Nigeria
University Abdou Moumouni de Niamey, Niger
Works in: Nigeria and Niger
Project overview
This project will examine how mobile-phone technology can bridge the barriers between farmers, wholesalers and retailers in the legume value chains. The goal is to improve the functioning of existing markets, and to promote market integration between the major producing areas and markets in West Africa.
The mobile-phone based service, named KasuwaGo, will allow producers and traders to communicate and agree on the quantities they wish to sell, and the prices they will accept. It also allows users to rate the quality of services and products received, using multiple local and foreign language options.
The project promises research opportunities in understanding the adoption of mobile-phone-based technology in value chains, the drivers of effective communication between farmers and sellers, as well as the effects of communications improvements on market outcomes.
The mobile application was successfully launched in June 2021 in Nigeria. The team is now working under Phase 2 to expand KasuwaGo into Niger, continue to support the deployment in Nigeria, and initiate data collection and analysis to address the project’s research objectives.
Click here to download the Project Fact Sheet
Want to learn more?
Presentation at the 2022 Global Legume Lab Convening.Presentation at the 2021 Global Legume Lab Convening.
KasuwaGo Mobile App - Connecting grain buyers and sellers for more efficient trading in West Africa.
