ABSTRACT
This study analyzed the structure, performance, and efficiency of the plantain marketing system in Oredo LGA, Edo State. Data for this study were gathered through a structured questionnaire. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed for the study. Stage I involved the purposive selection of four markets based in high population of plantain marketers and volume of trade. These markets include Oba market, New Benin market, Ekiosa market and New market. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Gini coefficient, marketing efficiency ratio, marketing margins and return on capital invested, and the Likert Scale. The socio-economic analysis showed that over 72.8% of plantain traders had formal education, and all marketers were between the ages of 28 and 67 with average age of 47 years. Female traders entirely dominated the plantain trading business. Most traders sourced their capital from personal and family savings. Many traders (51%) had entered the plantain business in the past 3-10 years, with another 25% having been in the business for 11-18 years. The Gini coefficient was calculated to be 0.07, indicating a near perfectly equal distribution of income or market share among traders. The marketing efficiency was found to be 130%, suggesting an efficient marketing system. The returns on investment showed a profit yield of 9.6%. The marketing margin was calculated to be 77.45%. These results point to a near-perfect market structure, high efficiency, and good profit margins, indicating strong market performance. The major challenges faced by plantain traders included seasonal factors/price fluctuations, high transportation costs, and shop rent, with less competition from other marketers. The study concluded that plantain marketing in Oredo LGA is less competitive, efficient, and profitable. It is recommended that marketers should come together to form plantain marketer’s cooperative groups from which members could obtain loans at very low interest rates to finance and expand their business. Additionally, More individuals should come into the plantain value chain business as farmers for increase in production output, transporters and marketers.
