About AMITSA
Improving access to market and technical information on agricultural inputs in East Africa
Information on agro-inputs is a missing link for agricultural production and food security. The overall use of agro-inputs – organic and inorganic fertilizers, improved seeds and quality crop protection products – in East Africa is extremely low, and fertilizer use rates average less than 8.0 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha). The majority of these agro-inputs are applied to plantation cash crops (cotton, coffee, tea), which implies that the average smallholder farmer’s use of agro-inputs on food crops is even lower.
The role of the agro-input market in promoting food security and agricultural growth is critical to the success of regional and national policies.
Among the major constraints to increased use of agro-inputs in East Africa is the lack of information about these agro-inputs (such as prices, best practices and benefits) among farmers, retailers, extension agents and other actors in the agro-input value chain.
IFDC was asked to assist the East Africa Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) address the problem of lack of information about agro-inputs by developing an input market information system. This system is the Regional Agricultural Input Market Information and Transparency System (AMITSA).
AMITSA Objectives
- Improve access to timely data and information describing agricultural input markets for the benefit of all stakeholders, farmers, traders, manufacturers, etc.
- Establish business linkages developed among agricultural input importers from different countries and regions and international input manufacturers and traders
- Reduce input procurement costs
- Increase the use of inputs; thereby increasing agricultural productivity
- Improve food security and accelerate economic growth
AMITSA partners
Various private and public organizations at the international, regional and national levels are partnering with AMITSA in information collection and distribution:
- Trade associations such as CropLife, IFA, AFSTA and their regional and national members
- Ministries of Agriculture, Shipping Councils, Customs and Statistics
AMITSA Information
Newsletters
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
November/December 2011
October 2011
September 2011
AMITSA Brochure
Articles
Agro-Input Market Information System Launches in Eastern and Southern Africa
New Platform to Help Farmers Get Market Data (Published in The East African)
New Information System a Boost for Farmers (Published in The Daily Nation)
Videos
K-24 Interviews Bridget Okumu, MIS Specialist
AMITSA Launch - K-24 News Coverage
AMITSA Launch - KBC News Coverage (Swahili)
Press Releases
Agro-Input Market Information System Launches in Eastern and Southern Africa