AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MARKETING PATTERN OF PLANTAIN IN UGBOGIOBO, OVIA NORTHEAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study is based on an assessment of the marketing pattern of plantain in Ugbogiobo, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. The objectives of the study were: to examine the pattern of plantain marketing system in Ugbogiobo; to identify the marketing channels of plantain in Ugbogiobo; to estimate the extent of market integration among plantain markets in Ugbogiobo; and to identify theconstraints faced by plantain marketers in Ugbogiobo and make recommendations based on the findings. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 150 respondents across thestudy area. All the questionnaires were returned valid for analysis and the datacollected were fed into the SPSS version 24. The data were analyzed using frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. It was discovered that Ugbogiobo marketoperates every four days with a majority of the plantain marketers being women with alarge number of marketers purchasing directly from the farmers at wholesale prices andthus act as middlemen in the marketing chain. It was also discovered that there existedmarket associations among the plantain marketers in Ugbogiobo market however, justa few of these marketers identified as members of the association and the associationdoes not influence the selling price of plantain. Also, it was discovered that a majorityof plantain marketers in the study area are faced with the constraints posed bytransportation cost and storage facilities.It was hence recommended that the government should aid the area by providing good road networks, proper warehousingand appropriate storage facilities. Sensitisation programmes should be conducted bygovernmental or non-governmental organisations to enlighten the marketers on thebenefits of belonging to market associations.