Factors affecting smallholder paddy rice farmer's choice of marketing channel in the northern region of Ghana : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of AgriCommerce at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The scientific community advocates that enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to reliable, ready and direct market channel is a prerequisite to the attainment of sustainable food supply and poverty reduction in the developing world including Ghana. However, the smallholder farmers' access to direct marketing channels in Ghana has been a critical challenge; therefore, this study aims to analyse the factors that influence smallholder paddy rice farmers’ decision to participate in either the direct marketing channel specifically processors or the indirect marketing channel specifically, middlemen in the Northern Region of Ghana. Purposive sampling was used to select farmers from three rice growing districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed the Binary Logit regression model in the analysis of the factors affecting farmers’ choices of marketing channel. A t-test was also used to compare the mean yields and revenues generated by farmers who marketed their paddy rice outputs in the direct and indirect marketing channels. A five-point Likert scale was used to rank the constraints that affect the production and marketing of rice output among rice farmers. The study revealed that a lower percentage of farmers sold their paddy rice output to processors (direct channel). The Logit model showed that farm size, the price of paddy rice output per 85kg bag, access to market information and access to credit increased the farmers' participation in the direct marketing channel whereas payment period and ownership of bicycle reduced farmers' their participation. The t-test result revealed that the participation in the direct marketing channel raised farmers' revenue. The study further showed that limited access to credit, poor climatic condition, the high cost of labour, the high cost of farm inputs and low mechanisation were the top five production challenges they encountered in their rice production. Low market prices, post-harvest losses, the high cost of transportation, limited market option and low demand for local rice were the top-ranked marketing constraints reported by farmers. The study concludes that it is more profitable for farmers to sell their paddy rice output to processors instead of middlemen. Therefore, policymakers need to incorporate the significant factors of farmers’ choices of marketing channels in the formulation of agricultural policy that seeks to promote farmers’ access to direct marketing channels in developing countries including Ghana

Product Recommendation for E-Groceries Using Apriori Algorithm

The emergence of Internet allows many possibilities; one of them is electronic groceries. Indirect marketing is one aspect that contributes to the business profit. Basically, conventional grocer will utilize physical layout and possible buying sequence using product display. In e-groceries, such idea can be implemented using product recommendation basic. This paper will discuss briefly the design and the development of E-Groceries for such purpose

The Formation of „Eco-regions“ in Austria and the Role of the Structural Fund

The concept of “Eco-regions” (or “Bioregionen” in German) entered the discussion on rural development in Austria several years ago. Broadly, this expression means the combination of sustainable farming in particular organic farming practices, and the marketing of their produce with the aim of assisting regional development. As we shall see, this concept can take various forms of expression. It can be restricted to the agricultural sector or extended to a general regional strategy. The common feature is a territorial form of cohesion under the umbrella of organic farming. The very idea comes from two directions: the organic movement on one hand and regional development on the other

THE INFLUENCE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING COMMUNICATION ON INCREASING SALES VOLUME IN PT. GLOBAL UGGUL MANDIRI – PAXEL HEAD OFFICE, JAKARTA

The increase in sales volume is very important for a company development. Companies use all techniques to increase sales volume, from creating new products that meet consumer needs to marketing communications. With direct or indirect marketing techniques to introduce products that are owned by the company. In the current era, there are many ways to conduct marketing communications, one of which is with technology-based social media. This research was conducted using survey data methods, based on product development data, marketing techniques to the desired result in the form of volume increase

The Decision to Direct Market: An Analysis of Small Fruit and Specialty-Product Markets in Virginia

Farmers are increasingly interested in high-value alternatives to commodity production. Direct marketing is a potentially attractive marketing alternative, having been shown to offer increased net incomes to farmers. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of literature on the determinants of the decision to direct market. This paper uses an ordered logit regression to analyze how farm size, the importance of high-value crops, organic production, experience, and demographic factors affect a producer’s reliance on direct markets. The results show that farm size, high-value crop production, non-certified organic production methods, and household size are determinants of the share of total farm output sold through direct marketing outlets.Marketing,

Strategi Pemasaran Keripik Nenas di Desa Kualu Nenas Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar

The purpose of this research is to knowing the marketing channel of pineapple chips, to analyze marketing efficiency of pineapple chips, to analyze marketing mix of pineapple chips and to identify aspects of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and formulate strategies that can be applied in development agroindustry pineapple chips. The analityc method used in this research is survey method with sample 12 craftsmen. The reseach result shows there are two marketing channels pineapple chips are directly and indirectly. Marketing efficiency at direct and indirect marketing channel there is the same in the plastic 250gr packaging. Product strategies with respect to product attributes, branding, gift packaging, labeling and product support services. Pricing strategies based on cost and competition. Distribution strategies are directly to consumers, through retailers and wholesalers. Promotion strategies are personal selling, sales promotion and direct marketing. Pineapple chips marketing strategy are participation in training in order to development business, increase production, cooperation with the government to finding alternative problems solutions and utilizing media promotion