The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) operates an information service which is available by SMS to anyone with a cellphone. It provides details of commodity prices and is aimed at small scale farmers. Farmers who have produce for sale can find out the best prices that they would get for it in their particular district. They are given both prices and contact information for the buyers. This saves the farmers from being at the mercy of transporters and third parties who would come to a farm and offer any price they chose. A full range of commodities is supported, arable and cattle. Prices are updated each day, and fuller information is also available via a website. Some 80% of the population is within reach of the SMS service.
 
See a fuller description at  http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/web/guest/country/voice/tags/zambia/shemp
 
Website: www.farmprices.co.zm
 
 
 

Along related lines, Cropserve, a vendor of inputs to the farming community, with assisted funding, are trialling an SMS and web-based service for providing pricing and guidance for inputs such as seeds and veterinary products.

Website: www.cropserve.co.zm