ABSTRACT

 Road transport plays an important role in agricultural development. This is because it is the major means of transporting agricultural produce from the farms to the markets as well as to various urban communities. This study examines the effect of road transport on marketing of agricultural products in Umuahia Abia State. It employs the use of both primary and secondary data. Eighty copies of questionnaire were distributed systematically to the farmers, transporters and traders in the study area. Both multistage and purposive sampling techniques were also used. Focus group discussion was also used to obtain information on the effect of road transport on marketing of Agricultural product as whole. Descriptive and inferential statistical models were both employed to analyze the data gathered. The findings showed that road transport has both positive and negative effects on the marketing of Agricultural products in the study area. However, the bad conditions of the road affect cost of transportation of agricultural produce which in tum affect the rural farmers' income. This study concludes by suggesting that an improvement in road transport system will lead to increased production by farmers. Community participation in road transport development should also be encouraged in the study area.