Analysis of Yam Marketing in Ngwa Road Market, Abia State, Nigeria

Year 2021, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 33 - 40, 01.01.2021

Ifeanyı Moses Kanu Felix Okezie Onwukwe Joy Chika Maduforo

Abstract

This project analyzed yam marketing in Ahiaohuru, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The research employed random sampling technique to select 80 yam marketers in the study area. Results from socio economic characteristics of the respondents’ shows that total of 62.5% of the yam marketers were males; while the other 37.5% were females. Total revenue accruable from yam sales by the 80 randomly selected marketers was N620,793.12; while the total cost items was N680,293.25. The net profit gave a negative value of – N59,500.12. This shows that the yam marketer’s expenses exceed their revenue. Similarly, 69.36% of the cost items went to the purchase of yams which was a major variable cost. The respondents’ sex, marital status, source of start-up capital and total sales obtained were the significant variables influencing income from yam marketing in the study area. Lack of capital, high cost of labour, poor storage facilities, perishability of yam, high cost of transportation and unfavourable market prices were the notable constraints limiting efficiency of yam marketing in the study area. Since yam marketing in the study area was not profitable, measures should be taken to reduce associated cost of marketing. In this regard, the government and other organizations should extend a hand of fellowship to yam marketers by fostering grants and single digit loans.

Keywords

Yam marketing, Market structure, Cost and returns, Determinants of income, Nigeria

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