Digicel provides access to market information for local farmers

October 28th 2009 - Farmers to view market produce via their Digicel phones

Digicel, PNG’s Bigger, Better Network and Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) launched a new mobile Marketing Information System (MIS) today that will enable local farmers and consumers to check fresh produce on the market.

According to FPDA, surveys have been conducted across 8 urban markets in PNG (Port Moresby, Goroko, Mt Hagen, Lae, Rabaul, Madang, Wewak and Popondetta). From these surveys, 12 main crops have been identified whose price, quality and availability can be checked by local farmers through Digicel’s Access Code 4636.

Digicel PNG CEO John Mangos said at the launch: “Farmers benefit by having the right market information at the right time. With Digicel’s nationwide coverage, the service reaches out to a vast majority of PNG crop growers.”

FPDA chairman Fabian Chow when thanking Digicel, said the platform provides an excellent opportunity for the farmers to maximize their profit and at the same time deliver the best quality goods at the right market.

The MIS has codes created for both the named markets and the crops mentioned.

Simple steps that farmers and consumers do to obtain fresh produce information are:
Create new text message
Type code for crop (eg: CAB for cabbage)
Type the word PRICE Send text to 4636

A text message will be received containing information on the price of the crop in all eight (8) centres.

The MIS will be updated every Tuesday and a charge fee of 35 toea will apply to every successful SMS sent to 4636.