The study examines the structure and performance of cowpea marketing in Yola North and South Local Government Areas of Adamawa state, Nigeria. The data for the study was from primary source. These were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire to a sample of 75 cowpea marketers in the two local government areas. Data collected from marketers was 2011/2012 marketing season. The data for the study was from primary source. These were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire to a sample of 75 cowpea marketers in the two local government areas. Data collected from marketers was 2011/2012 marketing season. The cost and returns of cowpea wholesaler revealed that, cowpea marketers practicing wholesaling are efficient in the marketing of the commodity by virtue of the positive sign and magnitude of the gross margin and net incomes while, that of the retailers are lower than those of wholesalers. The marketing margin also indicates that the marketing margin of wholesalers is lower than that of retailers, although the overall marketing margin which is 10.78 percent is higher than that of wholesalers. The study concludes that, cowpea marketing in the study area is profitable by the positive sign and magnitude of the gross margin. However, a low marketing margin was obtained in the study, an indication of efficiency in the pricing system by cowpea marketers. Hence, market structure of wholesalers of cowpea in the study area was competitive, while that of retailers was not. The study therefore recommends that, Cowpea marketers should have access to readily affordable credit facilities so as to expand their marketing activities. Modem storage facilities and the use of airtight containers should be encouraged among marketers for storage of cowpea, to increase its shelf life.
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