ABSTRACT

This research investigated empirically yam marketing in the Agricultural

zones of Anambra State. Marketing efficiency was determined using the

multiple-regression analysis, while descriptive statistics were employed in

the analysis of socio-economic profile. Schematic figure was used to

represent the marketing channel. Formula was employed in the computation

of marketing margin and marketing efficiency. Primary data were collected

through the use of structured questionnaires from 120 yam traders randomly

selected from two zones.. For the marketing margin, marketing cost was

found to have a negative relationship with the margin and was significant at

99% confidence level, and the negative coefficient of the marketing cost

hinged on the fact that it is a cost item. For marketing efficiency, household

size was positive and significant at 1 % risk level, implies that increase in

household translates to an increase in the marketing efficiency.

Result on the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents revealed

that the data on the sex distribution shows that majority of the traders were

mostly female (56.71%) and 43.3% accounted for male, and this may be

responsible for the fact that males engage in other occupations for livelihood

more than females who are traditionally full time traders.

Four intermediaries were involved in the yam marketing channel before it

reaches the final consumers. The four intermediaries included the producers,

the agents (itinerant buying agents and the northern dealers), the wholesales

and the retailers. Primary data were collected through the use of structured

questionnaire from 120 yarn traders randomly selected from two zones.

Extension education and service should be intensified to ensure that farmers

and agricultural marketers alike will be better equipped to deal with ever

increasing challenges of their profession.