Performance of Watermelon Marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

Watermelon is one of the most sought-after fruits in tropical Africa because of its delicious taste and nutritional value. Owing to its increasing high demand among consumers, this study analyzes its marketing performance in terms of market structure, marketing margin, marketing efficiency, and profitability. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 160 respondents used in the study. Primary data were collected using a set of well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, gini coefficient model, net marketing income, and marketing efficiency index. The result of the study shows high level of income inequalities (sales margin) in the distribution of income amongst watermelon marketers and high concentration of watermelon marketers in the study area which indicated high inefficiency in the market structure. The result on market structure showed that there were no barriers to entry at the retail level but there are some barriers at the wholesale level. Profitability analysis showed that the watermelon enterprise is viable. High perishability, lack of credit facilities, and price fluctuations were major challenges that confronted all the marketers in watermelon enterprise. The study recommends provision of credit facilities and infrastructural improvements to reduce the constraints faced by marketers. Keywords: Agricultural marketing, marketing efficiency, marketing channel, market performance, watermelon. DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/62-07 Publication date: November 30th 201

Socio-economic and Institutional Determinants of Watermelon Marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the socio-economic and institutional determinants of watermelon marketing in Enugu state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of watermelon marketers (wholesalers and retailers) and determine the factors influencing the net marketing returns of the marketers. Multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting eight watermelon markets based on the volume of watermelon traded in the markets. Primary data were collected from 160 respondents comprising 96 retailers and 64 wholesalers with the aid of well structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. Results showed that watermelon marketing was dominated by the married (76.25%), literates (97.5%) and females (78.13%) with the mean age and marketing experience of 47 and seven years respectively. The determinants of wholesaler’s net marketing income were product price (0.581) and transportation cost (-2.609), while product price (1.501), educational level (-0.584), storage cost (-0.131), packaging cost (-0.077) and market information (0.057) significantly influenced retailer’s net marketing income. Keywords: Socio-economic, institutional factors, watermelon, marketers, Enugu Stat

Socio-economic and Institutional Determinants of Watermelon Marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the socio-economic and institutional determinants of watermelon marketing in Enugu state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of watermelon marketers (wholesalers and retailers) and determine the factors influencing the net marketing returns of the marketers. Multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting eight watermelon markets based on the volume of watermelon traded in the markets. Primary data were collected from 160 respondents comprising 96 retailers and 64 wholesalers with the aid of well structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. Results showed that watermelon marketing was dominated by the married (76.25%), literates (97.5%) and females (78.13%) with the mean age and marketing experience of 47 and seven years respectively. The determinants of wholesaler’s net marketing income were product price (0.581) and transportation cost (-2.609), while product price (1.501), educational level (-0.584), storage cost (-0.131), packaging cost (-0.077) and market information (0.057) significantly influenced retailer’s net marketing income. Keywords: Socio-economic, institutional factors, watermelon, marketers, Enugu Stat

Constraints Faced by Rice Processors in Milling and Branding of Home Grown Rice in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study examined the constraints faced by rice processors in branding and milling of improved local rice quality in Enugu State, Nigeria. Unbranded and poor packaged locally processed rice are distinguishable from imported rice brand and hence the value is not appreciated by the consumers. Locally processed rice when branded and packaged leads to value addition. The objectives of the study were to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of rice processors in the study area, examine the factors that influence the branding of locally processed rice and examine the major constraints in processing locally produced rice into high quality rice. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to survey 23 respondents across three communities in three local government areas and two agricultural zones selected. Primary data were used for this study. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to analyse the data collected. The socio economic characteristics of the rice processors showed that the enterprise was dominated by the married, literate males with mean age and rice processing experience of 46 years and 16 years respectively. Findings of this study showed that along the unit of local rice branding, that packaging was the only form of branding carried out by processors. The factors that influenced the branding of locally processed rice in the study area were grouped into four factors which include inability to appreciate new technology, non-availability of required technology, labour and cost of packaging materials. Also the major constraints in the processing of improved quality of local rice brands are grouped into five factors which are inability to appreciate new knowledge, new technology, communication on storage facilities, labour and marketing information. This study therefore recommends that the rice processors should be trained adequately on branding and improving the quality of locally processed rice and provision of the required technology. This will improve the competitiveness of local rice relative with imported rice thereby increasing its demand

Constraints Faced by Rice Processors in Milling and Branding of Home Grown Rice in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study examined the constraints faced by rice processors in branding and milling of improved local rice quality in Enugu State, Nigeria. Unbranded and poor packaged locally processed rice are distinguishable from imported rice brand and hence the value is not appreciated by the consumers. Locally processed rice when branded and packaged leads to value addition. The objectives of the study were to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of rice processors in the study area, examine the factors that influence the branding of locally processed rice and examine the major constraints in processing locally produced rice into high quality rice. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to survey 23 respondents across three communities in three local government areas and two agricultural zones selected. Primary data were used for this study. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to analyse the data collected. The socio economic characteristics of the rice processors showed that the enterprise was dominated by the married, literate males with mean age and rice processing experience of 46 years and 16 years respectively. Findings of this study showed that along the unit of local rice branding, that packaging was the only form of branding carried out by processors. The factors that influenced the branding of locally processed rice in the study area were grouped into four factors which include inability to appreciate new technology, non-availability of required technology, labour and cost of packaging materials. Also the major constraints in the processing of improved quality of local rice brands are grouped into five factors which are inability to appreciate new knowledge, new technology, communication on storage facilities, labour and marketing information. This study therefore recommends that the rice processors should be trained adequately on branding and improving the quality of locally processed rice and provision of the required technology. This will improve the competitiveness of local rice relative with imported rice thereby increasing its demand

Constraints Faced by Rice Processors in Milling and Branding of Home Grown Rice in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study examined the constraints faced by rice processors in branding and milling of improved local rice quality in Enugu State, Nigeria. Unbranded and poor packaged locally processed rice are distinguishable from imported rice brand and hence the value is not appreciated by the consumers. Locally processed rice when branded and packaged leads to value addition. The objectives of the study were to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of rice processors in the study area, examine the factors that influence the branding of locally processed rice and examine the major constraints in processing locally produced rice into high quality rice. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to survey 23 respondents across three communities in three local government areas and two agricultural zones selected. Primary data were used for this study. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to analyse the data collected. The socio economic characteristics of the rice processors showed that the enterprise was dominated by the married, literate males with mean age and rice processing experience of 46 years and 16 years respectively. Findings of this study showed that along the unit of local rice branding, that packaging was the only form of branding carried out by processors. The factors that influenced the branding of locally processed rice in the study area were grouped into four factors which include inability to appreciate new technology, non-availability of required technology, labour and cost of packaging materials. Also the major constraints in the processing of improved quality of local rice brands are grouped into five factors which are inability to appreciate new knowledge, new technology, communication on storage facilities, labour and marketing information. This study therefore recommends that the rice processors should be trained adequately on branding and improving the quality of locally processed rice and provision of the required technology. This will improve the competitiveness of local rice relative with imported rice thereby increasing its demand

Exploring the Effects of Information and Communication Technologies in the Marketing of Broiler Birds in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Information-intensive and precise knowledge-based marketing approaches is a key aspect in ensuring the long-term viability of agriculture. Unfortunately, the economic potential of information and communication technologies used in agricultural marketing is not fully utilized. This study, therefore, unravelled the effects of information and communication technologies in the marketing of broiler birds in Enugu state, Nigeria. Primary data collected from 90 marketers were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that all the marketers accessed and used mobile phones very often to communicate with their customers but only a few (40%) used social media platforms while radio and television were rarely used. The gross margin analysis showed that broiler marketing was a viable enterprise with ₦80,972.72 (USD 197.29) gross margin monthly. The degree of use of information and communication technologies, level of education and marketing experience significantly affected the revenue margin of the respondents. High cost of information and communication technology facilities, inconsistence power supply, poor network coverage and connectivity and high cost of airtime and data were among the major constraints faced by the marketers. The study recommends that the problem of inconsistent power supply and poor network coverage should be rectified by the government and the network providers, respectively. The national communication commission should as a matter of urgency regulate, moderate and reduce the high call tariffs and internet data cost to enhance the profit margin of the broiler marketers

Factors influencing smallholder adoption of organic agriculture in Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria

IntroductionOrganic Agriculture is considered one of the promising sustainable agricultural systems that can promote green economy measures, especially in developing countries where smallholder agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. With increasing awareness of the environmental and health benefits of organic foods, there has been an increasing number of studies assessing the demand side (determinants of consumers’ demand for organic products) within the global South. However, there is a dearth of research information on the supply side (e.g., factors influencing smallholder farmers’ willingness to engage in organic agriculture). To scale up organic agriculture among smallholder farmers, there is a need to explore and understand the factors influencing its adoption.MethodsUsing survey data from rural Nigeria, this paper applied Cragg’s double-hurdle model to assess the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption of organic farming in the Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria.ResultsThe result showed that information about organic farming plays a major role in motivating farmers to adopt organic farming. Farmers that know what organic farming entails were found to be 1.31 percent more likely to adopt organic farming and to dedicate 1.23 percent more of their land to organic farming than the farmers that are less aware of organic farming. Similarly, an organized organic marketing structure and a premium on organic products were found to statistically improve the adoption of organic farming. The proportion of land dedicated to organic farming was found to be 2.15 percent more for farmers that received a premium for their organic produce than their counterparts that do not receive a premium for their produce.DiscussionThe findings demonstrated policy actions aimed at certification among smallholder farmers employing organic farming methods can facilitate system-wise organic farming in rural areas. However, the nature of such certification that will not jeopardize the agency of the farmers requires further investigation

DETERMINANTS OF ACCESS AND EXTENT OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEMES BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN KOGI STATE NIGERIA

Research Background: Although, insurance services are offered by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and other private companies in Nigeria; however, there has been a low level of involvement of farmers in the purchasing of insurance premiums in Kogi state. The empirical evidence on the factors accountable for the low patronage of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Schemes (AIS) in Kogi State are not known. The identification of these factors inhibiting the access and use of AIS by farmers and the provision of appropriate and efficient solutions by the relevant stakeholders can mitigate the catastrophic effects of risks and uncertainties on the farmers. Purpose of the article: The research was carried out in order to ascertain the determinants of access and extent of use of AIS by farmers in the study area so as to of provide appropriate and efficient solutions capable of mitigating the catastrophic effects of risks and uncertainties inherent in agriculture on the farmers means of livelihood. This makes the analysis of the level of access and extent of use of and the factors influencing farmers' willingness to participate in the agricultural insurance scheme a compelling necessity. Methods: Data for the study was collected through the help of a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 farmers whom were selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Heckman's two-stage model. Findings and value added: Farmers in the study area were males, literate, and experienced farmers. The determinants of access to AIS were awareness of AIS, age, income, and marital status, while age, awareness of AIS, and income significantly influenced the extent of use of AIS by the farmers in the study area. Farmers in the study area can access and use more of AIS through increased awareness of the insurance scheme as well as increasing farmers’ income level through affordable loan scheme or outright government grants

ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOURCES AND ACCESSIBILITY IN NIGERIA

Rural and small holder famers in Nigeria and other developing countries have low capital base and poor access to finance. The inability of these farmers’ access to adequate credit has increased the problem of low efficiency in production. Inadequate credit supply is a major problem with which other production factors may exert negative influence on farmers’ output and efficiency. In ascertaining the sources and accessibility of credit by crop farmers in Enugu-Ezike in Enugu State, Nigeria, the sources of credit to farmers, the socio-economic characteristics of crop farmers’ that have access to credit, access to credit constraints and possible ways of improving farmers’ access to credit were investigated. Primary data collected through the administration of questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and probit regression. Results showed that most crop farmers obtained credit mainly for farming and have accessed credit through informal sources, with friends and relatives being the most popular source. Majority of the farmers, who obtained information about credit through phone calls agreed that there were no delays in loan approval. Although, probit regression revealed that the independent variables (gender, age, marital status, education, household size, farm size, membership of cooperatives and farming experience) were not significant in jointly affecting access to credit at all probability levels, however, membership of cooperatives had an individually negative significant relationship with access to credit at the 10% (p<0.10) level. Recommendations that will improve access to credit include: increasing farmers’ access to information; reducing loan acquisition rigidity; reducing interest rate; having bank account; establishment of community and agricultural banks in the rural areas with simple procedures for securing loans; and the mobilization of farmers into groups to maximize the benefit of collective investment or group savings