Information from markets near and far : mobile phones and grain markets in Niger

Date

2009

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Tufts University, Medford, MA, US

Abstract

The presentation reports on how mobile phone ownership by farmers and grain traders has affected agricultural markets in Niger, and how this feeds back into market prices and the flow of trade. Findings from the study show that the introduction of cell phones is associated with a decrease in price dispersion across grain markets. The effect is stronger for isolated markets and those with poor quality roads, as a higher percentage of these markets opt for cell phone coverage. A mathematical model is provided for estimating the impact of cell phones on traders’ behaviour.

Description

PowerPoint presented by Megumi Muto
Meeting: IAAE Conference, August 16-22, 2009, Beijing, China

Keywords

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT), MARKET ACCESS, NIGER, MOBILE PHONES, MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES, AGRICULTURAL MARKETS, INFORMATION NETWORKS, KNOWLEDGE SHARING, E-AGRICULTURE, PRICING, MATHEMATICAL MODELS, SOUTH OF SAHARA

Citation

DOI