Marketing system for fresh okra in Kogi State, Nigeria.
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Date
2013
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Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Abstract
This study assessed marketing of fresh okra in Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the intermediaries in fresh okra marketing, examined the marketing channel used by the traders, identified the marketing functions performed by the intermediaries, evaluated the marketing margins and marketing efficiency and identified the factors militating against efficient marketing system of the vegetable. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to obtain information from forty wholesalers and forty retailers in the study area. Descriptive statistics, gross marketing margin and marketing efficiency tools were used for the analyses. The study revealed that marketing of fresh okra was profitable and relatively efficient in the study area. Majority of the wholesalers and retailers were not members of cooperative society and also used crude methods of storage. Inadequate capital, lack of access to market information, spoilage resulting from poor storage system, and high cost of transportation were the major problems militating against efficiency in fresh okra marketing. The study therefore calls for formation of cooperative societies by the traders, provision of good rural infrastructure, efficient storage system, credit facilities and market stalls and space by government and development agencies as well as unhindered dissemination of market intelligence and information among the traders.
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Keywords
Okra, intermediaries, marketing margin, marketing efficiency, problems
Citation
16. Omotesho, O. A., Falola, A. & Mathew, T. O. (2013): Marketing system for fresh okra in Kogi State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, 14(1&2):121-132. Published by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Available online at www.mouau.edu.ng.