M-Dalag Market Information System

A Reliable IVR Market Information System for Farmers

Shaqodoon’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) M-Dalag system empowers farmers by providing current, relevant information about market prices, expert advice, planning and risk mitigation tips, and more.

M-Dalag is the first mobile and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based system that allows farmers that were previously disconnected from markets to become connected. The M-Dalag system is tailored to the Somali environment in a number of ways, ensuring expansive adoption. The system is voice-based, ensuring that anyone with a simple mobile can access; there is no need for an internet connection or additional hardware. The country has extremely high mobile coverage, with 95% of the country covered by telecom signals, and 75% of the population has access to a phones. The voice-based system is also ideal, as it can be accessed without the prerequisite of literacy.

M-Dalag Features for Farmers

  • Market Prices

    Accurate market prices, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about their livestock and produce

  • Access Buyers

    Sell produce and livestock directly through the M-Dalag platform, which cuts out middlemen (and the associated risk of exploitation)

  • Equipment

    Connects farmers with the nearest agricultural input seller (equipment, seeds, etc), which saves time and increases productivity

  • Expert Advice

    Contact agricultural experts for advice, ensuring reliable and current information about best practices, risk mitigation, and other relevant information

  • Seasonal Planning

    Record seasonal planning, including drought mitigation strategies and important information about upcoming seasons

  • Message Service

    General feedback option ensures that custom requests or questions can be answered specifically, and the system can be tailored and iterated to be as effective as possible

Why M-Dalag?

Crop farming is currently the second most important economic activity in the country, after livestock, with up to 20-25% of the population depending on crop farming for their livelihoods. Crop agriculture is currently an underdeveloped and offers considerable potential, both in cereal and horticultural production. Each year, local farmers produce many crops, but find difficulties connecting to market. Since there was no centralized system for farmers to easily find market and buyers for their products, crops often rot at farms. The new M-Dalag Market Information System is the solution to this problem. Since the farmers are often illiterate, this new platform is mobile and voice-based market. It has a three-digit short code (315) that will connect farmers to market, buyers, today’s prices, agricultural product companies, agricultural experts for advice, and to the Ministry of Agriculture for planning and development.

Learn more about IVR