Analysis of Market Structure and Conduct of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera, L.) in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Analysis of market structure and conduct of date palm was conducted in Jigawa state, Nigeria using multi stage sampling technique which led to the random selection of 121 respondents. All the traders were male, mostly married and within the mean age of 39 years. Majority (42.6%) of the wholesalers had no formal education, with 12–21 years of marketing experience, while 43.3% of the retailers had only attended primary school with 2–11 years marketing experience. High inequality was observed at wholesale (0.75 & 0.78) and retail (079 &0.75) levels. Pest infestation, increased transportation cost and inadequate capital were the major constraints observed. Development of improved varieties that are pests and diseases resistant, provision of appropriate storage, processing, credit and market facilities by all stakeholders, increased local production to boost marketable surpluses to offset demand and ensure all year-round supply of the product and reduced importation were recommended. Keywords: Market, Structure, Conduct, Date Palm, Jigawa State, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/79-03 Publication date:May 31st 202