A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Regional and Rural Development Planning

Research studies project report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014

This evaluation research assessed the appropriateness of existing agriculture marketing information service (AMIS) in the Punjab province of Pakistan in terms of accuracy of data collected, quality of information produced, effective dissemination of information and sustainability of AMIS. The research collected both the secondary and primary data.A gap analysis technique was used to assess appropriateness of AMIS. The appropriateness of accuracy of data collected was assessed on the bases of design-reality gap of different indicators include trained data collectors, financial incentives for data collectors, scheduled activities and monitoring, identification of user needs, and quick and error free data transmission; the quality of information produced assessed on the bases of in-house analytical skills for data analysis and relevance of information produced to user needs;effective dissemination of information assessed on the basis of dissemination of information through users{u2019} preferred mode,and sustainability of AMIS assessed on the bases of availability of sufficient funding sources for consistent operations of AMIS. The inappropriate areas of existing AMIS were found trainings of data collectors, financial incentives for data collectors, identification of user needs, relevance of produced information to user needs,and sustainability of AMIS. The partially appropriate areas were monitoring of activities of data collectors, quick and error free transmission and effective disseminated of information. Thein-house analytical skills for data analysis were found appropriate.For the improvement of appropriateness of the identified weak areas of the existing AMIS, specific recommendations were put forward.