Determinants of marketing efficiency of yam market in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the determinants of yam marketing in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was used to select yam marketers for the study. Stage one involved the purposive selection of two major yam markets due to the activities of yam marketing in the markets. The second stage involved the random selection of fifteen yam marketers from each of the two markets to give a total of thirty (30) yam marketers for the study. Data collected were analyzed using simple statistics such as mean, frequency and percentages. Profit function approach was used to realize objective one, marketing margin, and marketing efficiency formulas were used to achieve objectives two and three. Also a schematic diagram was used to show the flow of yam from the producers to the consumers. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the determinants of marketing efficiency while the constraints that militated against yam marketing were analyzed using mean, frequencies and percentages. The results show that yam business in the study area is profitable. A rate of return on investment of 1.23 was obtained and marketing margin and marketing efficiency of 25.5%and 23.16% respectively were obtained. The coefficient of educational level and marketing experience were significant and positively related to marketing efficiency. Transportation cost was significant, but negatively related to marketing efficiency. The most important constraints that militated against yam marketing include: high cost of transportation and inadequate credit facilities. The study therefore, recommends that the yam marketers should form cooperative societies to increase their access to credit facilities, and government should provide good road network system to reduce transportation cost.Keywords: cost, returns, yam marketing, Umuahia Nort

Evaluation of poultry egg marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

The study focused on evaluation of poultry egg marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of egg marketers in the study area, determine the structure of the egg markets using the market concentration index, determine the costs and return of egg marketing and examine factors that influence the profitability of egg marketing. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for this study. Six communities were purposively selected from the ten communities in the LGA. Ten poultry egg marketers were selected from the six communities using simple random sampling technique. This made the total number of respondents to be sixty. Descriptive statistics, gini coefficient, costs and return analysis as well as multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The results showed that majority (55%) of the egg marketers were males who  are still young and agile. They were also married with moderate household size. Many were dominantly farmers and acquired different levels of education. The concentration index showed that egg markets were also highly concentrated with core to perfect equality in size distribution. The result showed a net return of ₦215 and marketing efficiency of 1.035. The coefficient for age, education, sex, and price had positive relationships with amount of sales while household size had a negative relationship with it. Variables that positively influence amount of sales from egg marketing should be considered and strengthened in policy implementation. There is need for guaranteed minimum prices for egg, to reduce price fluctuations and increase consumption of eggs.Keywords: poultry egg, market structure, marketing, Abia Stat

Economic analysis of beef marketing in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined the marketing of beef in Awka North Local  Government Area of Anambra State. The objectives of this study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of beef marketers, ascertain the costs and return of beef marketing, determine the factors affecting revenue derived from beef marketing and examine problems faced by beef  marketers in the study area. Four towns in the local government were  purposively selected because these towns have large markets with many beef marketers. Fifteen beef marketers were randomly selected from each of the four markets giving a total of sixty respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic, net return analysis and multiple regression analysis. Result showed that 40% of the beef marketers were within the age of 31 – 40 years, 64% were females and a high percentage of them (76%) were married. Majority of the respondents (60%) acquired only primary school education and 70% of the respondents had household size of between 1 -5 persons. A net return of N501.50k per kilogram of beef was obtained showing that beef marketing was profitable in the study area. The multiple regression analysis showed age, educational level, storage cost, marketing experience and cost of purchase were significant variables which affect beef marketing. The major constraints faced by the beef marketers were lack of fund, high transportation cost and inadequate storage facilities. Beef marketers should take advantage of economies of scale to ensure profitability and by extension, improved livelihood and sustainability of the business.Keywords: Beef marketing, economic analysis, net returns, constraints, Awka Nort