ABSTRACT

This work aims to find out the determinants of marketable surplus of melon among small holder farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; examine the marketing channels; estimate the determinants of marketable surplus among women melon traders in the study area; estimate the performance of the women; and make recommendation based on the findings. Four communities in Ikwuano Local Government Area were first selected; this was followed by a random selection 40 of farmers from these communities, giving a total of 160 respondents. Primary'source of data was employed in this study which leading to the use of questiomnaire administered to the respondents. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and multiple regression were used in the analysis of the data. The results showed that majority of the farmers were between the ages of 40 -. 50 years. About 78.8% of the respondents are with 16 years and above in terms of. cultivation and marketing of melon. The result also showed that 59.4% respondents have no education, 31.2% respondents have WAECINECO 6.2% respondents are OND/NCE holders while 3.1% respondents are HNDIB.Sc holders. Majority of them, about 43.75% of the respondents had a household size of between 6 - 10; 52.5% of the respondents own between I - 2.9 acres of land and 50% of the respondents produce between 1 - 5 bags of melon in a year. Majority of the respondents, 59.4% employed direct selling as their marketing channel. The regression results showed that the coefficient of age, household size, farmer's experience, transportation cost, output level and revenue from sales were major determinants of marketable surplus in the study area. The variables were significant at different probability levels with different signs. The average sum of 1,337,000 was made from sale of marketable surplus of melon out of which a total amount of 1,127,500 was realized as the profit. In addition, the highest amount of profit was made in the month of August representing 95% of the total sale in that month. The study therefore recommends that younger people should be encouraged to go into farming. This is especially so given that the venture is a very profitable one and the older generation involved in farming now are gradually leaving the scene. It is alsO recommended that transportation costs and its associated costs be reduced. To this end, government attention is needed. This in no small way will encourage these farmers to produce more, even for the market.