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CAMIP has been described as the most significant agricultural market information initiative currently active in Cambodia, both in terms of resources and scope.  It is based in the MAFF Agricultural Marketing Office (AMO) and works with 1) the AMO to improve agricultural market information collection and dissemination, and 2) the MAFF Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to improve farmers’ ability to use the information toward improving the quality of commodities being marketed.

The implementation of the project is divided into two components. The first component focuses on improving the already existing agricultural marketing information system (MIS) in all its phases, from data collection to information dissemination, including improved extension agents’ distribution of market prices. The second component concentrates on using price information for market development such as improved production choices and selling during non-peak periods.

Component 1 encompasses commodities from 21 markets in the existing eleven provinces in which AMO is active. Component 2 started in three provinces in the first year, added five provinces during the second and will then cycle through the remaining provinces for the duration of the project. CAMIP has opted to highlight only fruits and vegetables as commodities for Component 2 to narrow the focus to perishable agricultural products having the highest requirement for frequent and reliable market information.

COMPONENT 1: New Market Price Dissemination Methods

FM Radio:
In 2008 AMO began delivering wholesale commodity prices for specific markets through local FM radio stations in each of the 11 focal provinces. Previously, market price information was collected from participating traders on about 30 commodities drawn from 21 markets in 10 provinces and Phnom Penh. The information was compiled by AMO in Phnom Penh and average national prices were calculated for each product. These were then disseminated on national radio daily broadcasts at 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The new system caters specifically to local market prices where the majority of farmers will sell their produce.

Cell Phones:
An SMS cell phone system enables farmers to find out the prices of their commodities before going to market - and which markets offer the best rates. Using their cell phones, they can also interact directly with selected traders who post their buying prices on the CAMIS website.

Website:
The new CAMIS web site provides not only additional opportunities for accessing knowledge of market prices locally and around the country, but also how to better prepare commodities for sale. One feature of the site provides down-loadable market improvement tips such as grading and packaging of commodities - thereby selling only top-quality produce for maximum profit.

Publications
AMO currently puts out a monthly Price Bulletin and an Annual Report. Capacity building is underway to prepare AMO staff for more in-depth analysis of price trends and market forecasting. More extension-oriented market information materials will be added during project implementation.

COMPONENT 2: Market Development Strategies
A major focus in component 2 involves the training of farmers through Farmer Marketing Schools of FMS. The strategy employed is to first train trainers of trainers (TOT) through two-week workshops, one for the Northwest and one for the Southeast. Teams consisting of DAE extension, market traders, AMO provincial officers and NGO personnel will then organise up to 35 FMS sessions in 8 provinces during 2008 will then be organised. An anticipated reach of 825 men and women farmers is being targeted.

Among the topics to be to be introduced in the FMS, priority is being given to the following:

Marketing Tools

• networking among other producers and weighing the benefits and prices of one market versus another

• bargaining by taking into account the cost of production of a given commodity

• pre-harvest quality to ensure minimum quality loss 1 week before harvesting

Quality Improvement Tools

• harvest and post-harvest quality to preserve the quality of produce as long as possible

• grading to determine the value of up to 3 grades for each product and thereby reduce transaction costs

• packaging to reduce transport losses and increase product brandin