Effects of Marketing Extension Services on the Control of Postharvest Losses of Root and Tuber Crop Produce in Abia State (Published)
This study assessed the effect agricultural marketing extension on control of post-harvest losses of root and tuber crop produce in Abia State. This study employed public opinion survey. This study was conducted in Abia State, Nigeria between March 2017 and January 2018.Using the multistage sampling technique and a structured questionnaire as instrument, data were collected from a sample of three hundred and eighty (380) respondents in the study area. Percentages, mean scores, and regression analysis were used as statistical tools for data analysis.The overall mean score of the farmers on the effects of marketing extension services on the control of postharvest losses of root and tuber crop produce was 2.858. Marketing extension services had significant effect on the volume of postharvest losses of root and tuber crop produce in the study area given that the F- statistics of 102.569 is significant at 1% level of significance and that computed F- value was higher than the F-tabulated value of (1.94) at 5% level of significance and (2.51) at 1% level of significance. Organizations and agencies providing marketing extension services (adps, research institutes, universities, ngos etc) should do so in accordance to famers’ needs.
Keywords: Extension Service, Marketing, post-harvest losses, root and tubers
Economics of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) Marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria (Published)
Non-Timber Forest Products are capable of providing food, medicine and income to sustain livelihood. The study investigated the economics of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the major NTFPs present in the study area; examined the marketing channel of NTFP; ascertained profitability of NTFP marketing as well as constraints faced by the NTFP traders. Forty NTFP traders were interviewed using structured questionnaire from two markets in Ikwuano Local Government Area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Net Income and Profitability Index. Results showed that trade in NTFPs is profitable with Net Income of N180/2kg and N250/2kg from Ukazi leaf (Gnetum africanum) and oil bean seed (Pentachlethra macrophylla) traded. The profitability index was 0.18kobo and 0.16kobo respectively. There is need for support from research institutes and the government to harness the sustainable extraction and further processing of these NTFPs.
Keywords: Ikwuano, Marketing, Nigeria, Non Timber Forest Products
Vol 4, Issue 2, May 2016 ()
Keywords: Ikwuano, Marketing, Nigeria, Non Timber Forest Products