Roshan and USG Partners Launch Malomat, National Commodity Information System in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ --  Roshan, Afghanistan's leading telecommunications provider, in partnership with USAID's Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives—North, East and West (IDEA-NEW) and the Global Development Alliance (GDA) for Strengthening Grape and Pomegranate Market Chains, today announced the launch of Malomat.

Malomat is a national price information system providing farmers, input suppliers, traders, wholesalers and other stakeholders, access to commodity information in 11 provincial wholesale markets using mobile phones with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology and Short Message Service (SMS). Once developed further, the project will expand to other provinces and incorporate additional commodities, with a focus on reaching rural communities in remote areas of the country.

"Malomat provides farmers with access to real-time market prices, helping to ensure that farmers are able to secure the highest value possible for their crops while promoting commerce, the lifeblood of the nation's economy. Mobile technology is playing a significant role in enabling marginalized communities to engage in everyday commerce as a vehicle for sustainable growth. Services such as Malomat demonstrate Roshan's commitment to socio-economic development by leveraging its technology, human capital and emerging market expertise to bring innovative services and products to Afghanistan," said Karim Khoja, chief executive officer of Roshan.

The system gives anyone the ability to access price information for 25 commodities, either by calling and following IVR prompts, or by sending a SMS through the Roshan system. A total of 500 farmers and traders are participating in a pilot roll-out of the system in five provinces.

Prices are updated daily for 25 commodities, including wheat, rice, cashmere, numerous fruits such as almonds and pomegranates, several types of vegetables, fertilizer, live chickens and eggs. The cost of using the system is the same as sending a SMS, or calling a Roshan number.

The Malomat initiative builds on two existing projects: one between GDA and Roshan (Trade Net), and another run by USAID's IDEA-NEW project. The new system combines lessons learned from both projects, and capitalizes on the strengths of each. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has also provided ongoing guidance and technical support to Malomat.

The commodity information is primarily envisioned as a tool for farmers to gain bargaining power at the farm gate, but will also give price visibility to traders, NGOs and others interested in following market price trends in Afghanistan. The system has the flexibility to add new commodities as demand warrants.

To find out the price of 25 commodities in the 11 markets (10 in Afghanistan and one in Peshawar, Pakistan), call +93 0797 000 700 and follow the voice prompts.

About Roshan

Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd) is Afghanistan's leading telecommunications provider, with coverage in over 230 cities and towns and approximately 3.8 million active subscribers. Roshan directly employs more than 1,100 people and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people. Since its inception seven years ago, Roshan has invested over $450 million in Afghanistan and is the country's single largest investor and tax payer. Roshan is deeply committed to Afghanistan's reconstruction and socio-economic development. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a major shareholder of Roshan and promotes private initiatives in building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. Also owned in part by Monaco Telecom International (MTI) and TeliaSonera, Roshan brings international expertise to Afghanistan and is committed to the highest standards of network quality and coverage for the people of Afghanistan.

About Global Development Alliance

Mercy Corps is implementing the three-year, USAID-funded GDA program that is increasing capacity, jobs, sales and production along the grape and pomegranate value chains in central and southern Afghanistan. Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan since 1986 partnering with communities to implement a wide range of relief and development activities. For more information, see mercycorps.org.

About IDEA-NEW

IDEA-NEW is a five-year, USAID-funded initiative that provides agricultural incentives and economic alternatives that strengthen rural economies, increasing jobs and sales across the northern, eastern and western regions of Afghanistan. Please see www.ideanew.af for more information.

SOURCE Roshan