Mobile Marvels: An Economist special report on telecoms in emerging markets

In the September 24th, 2009 issue of the Economist magazine, a special report on telecoms and mobile phones sheds light on the potential of telecoms in improving livelihoods, enhancing financial opportunities, and supporting the greater integration of emerging and rural markets.

Read the Special Report here at Economist.com

The GL-CRSP Livestock Early Warning System (LEWS) and Livestock Information Network and Knowledge System (LINKS) projects have been utilizing mobile phone technology in research and intervention programs linking rural livestock producers with markets through the provision of market prices, and forage quantity and quality forecasts via SMS text messaging.  LINKS has provided the platform for the development of a National Livetock Market Information System (NLMIS) in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

Read LINKS Research Brief 08-03 to learn more about the benefits of SMS text messaging and mobile phones to pastoralists!