TAMAP launches ‘Govipola’; improved market information system and trading platform for agriculture

The ‘Technical Assistance to the Modernisation of Agriculture Programme in Sri Lanka’ (TAMAP) funded by the European Union and implemented by the consulting company, Ecorys Nederland B.V, is driven by its purpose in assisting the Government of Sri Lanka to move towards sustainable and productive agriculture.  

TAMAP has supported the development of an electronic market place in agriculture in line with the Government's e-agriculture strategy. As a result of this work ‘Govipola’, an agricultural trading platform and improved market information system has been launched on 28 January, at the ‘Improved Market Information System for Agriculture in Sri Lanka’ workshop held at the Mövenpick Hotel. 

Developed by Croptronix, a Sri Lankan company, Govipola began as an online wantboard, which is a place where people post their text-based buy and sell offers in a way similar to the way newspaper ads work. Today the app, with over 15,000 generic downloads across the country, helps farmers in marketing their goods on a digital platform with easy access to real time market data.  The app also offers convenience to buyers by providing options such as search filtering and notifications, and thereby shortening the otherwise lengthy process of finding goods.   

As part of its continuous development process, the app is now ready to offer a match making engine allowing suppliers to easily connect with interested buyers. The interaction with a potential trading partner may happen via the app or a direct call using the call-to-action button embedded in the system. With this simple approach the app links the farmer directly to an exporter, trader or a consumer. 

The app's user-friendly interface, three-language support and dynamic alert system also proves to be of immense value to users. The order-matching feature allows the user to get his or her listing directly matched with a corresponding order without the need to perform a lengthy search and read through all the posts placed on the marketplace. Every matched order allows opening of a direct confirmation channel for trade in line with conditions agreed upon by the parties.

Commenting on the project, Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka said, “Worldwide there is interest in developing agricultural marketplaces online with the aim of helping farmers to connect more directly to markets in real time and help them make better deals. The Govipola app helps farmers to market their goods to potential buyers while providing market information. This in turn helps to strengthen our goal of developing a vibrant agricultural sector in Sri Lanka.”

Pix by Ruwan Walpola