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Evaluation of the impact of investments in agricultural market information systems (MIS) on market performance faces several methodological challenges. These include: (a) defining the dimensions of market performance to measure (which is a function of whom the MIS is designed to serve) and identifying reliable indicators of performance dimensions; (b) identifying the pathways through which improved market information affects these dimensions of performance; (c) establishing a reliable baseline against which to measure improved performance; (d) distinguishing between investments in MIS and general improvements in information availability; (e) assessing the contribution of complementary investments and policy changes that frequently accompany the creation of MIS; (f) establishing a credible counterfactual concerning the market situation that would have prevailed in the absence of the MIS; and (g) interpreting the validity of stakeholders' statements and governments' revealed preferences, regarding the utility of MIS. Many of these challenges arise because improved market information can affect the welfare of market actors through improved market polices and increased competition, even if these actors do not have direct access to that information. This article discusses these challenges and identifies approaches that may be useful in developing a ''convergence of evidence'', concerning whether investment in a given MIS is socially worthwhile.

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This report presents the operation and results of a vegetable market information and consultation system (MICS), set up between 2002 and 2005 in Hanoi, to address marketing problems faced by vegetable farmers. A MICS is a market information system (MIS) combined with debates organised among farmers, traders, and development agents to reach common visions and strategies on marketing. Information collected in the first years relating to indicators of origin and supply deficits was disseminated to farmers and extension agents through newsletters and consultation meetings. The process then focused on making daily prices available, as requested by the farmers. The system was based on a network of contact traders and dissemination was by television. The workshops made it possible to reach a consensus for market opportunities arising from periods of supply deficit for some vegetables and how to take advantage of this situation, especially for tomatoes and cabbage imported from China during the rainy season, which presented some quality differences compared to the local products. With regards to price information, the majority of farmers and traders, surveyed by a quick-impact appraisal, stated they had access through television on a regular basis and that they used price information mostly to bargain with traders. Back up for a permanent ''safe'' vegetable producer and trader association was one of the outputs of the MICS. Our experience shows that price dissemination was easier to sustain (with the involvement of the public sector) than the consultation workshops, generally due to low local capacity in terms of meeting facilitation and the present weakness of extension services and sector organisations.

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