MARKET LINKAGE MECHANISMS AMONG CATFISH FARMERS IN EDO SOUTH AGRICULTURAL ZONE, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Abstract
This study focused on market linkage mechanisms among catfish farmers in Edo South Agricultural Zone, Edo State Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio- economic characteristics of catfish farmers; identify existing markets utilized by catfish farmers; identify the mechanisms for linking farmers to the markets; ascertain the linkage strengths of the identified mechanisms; identify sources of information on market linkages among catfish farmers; examine preferred choice of market outlets among catfish farmers; establish reasons for farmers’ preference for chosen market outlets and
identify the constraints to effective market linkage among catfish farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used for a simple random sampling of 20 catfish farmers from each of the four (4) selected Local Government Areas in Edo South
Agricultural Zone giving a total of 80 farmers. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire in line with the objectives of the study. Data were analysed using
descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean scores as well as inferential statistics being Pearson-Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results showed that more than half (53.8%) of the proportion of catfish farmers were male, most (80%) of them were married with mean age of 42 years. Direct contact (98.7%) was the most used mechanism for market linkage. Results also showed that most (96.2%) of the farmers utilized local markets, fellow farmers (86.2%) were the most used source of information and high transportation costs (mean = 4.39) was the major constraint encountered by catfish farmers for effective market linkages. It was concluded that direct contact was the most used linkage mechanism and high transportation costs was a major constraint faced by catfish farmers in linking to markets. The study therefore
recommended that Government and relevant stakeholders should invest in improving road networks and transportation systems to reduce transportation costs and ease market
linkage for catfish farmers.
identify the constraints to effective market linkage among catfish farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used for a simple random sampling of 20 catfish farmers from each of the four (4) selected Local Government Areas in Edo South
Agricultural Zone giving a total of 80 farmers. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire in line with the objectives of the study. Data were analysed using
descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean scores as well as inferential statistics being Pearson-Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results showed that more than half (53.8%) of the proportion of catfish farmers were male, most (80%) of them were married with mean age of 42 years. Direct contact (98.7%) was the most used mechanism for market linkage. Results also showed that most (96.2%) of the farmers utilized local markets, fellow farmers (86.2%) were the most used source of information and high transportation costs (mean = 4.39) was the major constraint encountered by catfish farmers for effective market linkages. It was concluded that direct contact was the most used linkage mechanism and high transportation costs was a major constraint faced by catfish farmers in linking to markets. The study therefore
recommended that Government and relevant stakeholders should invest in improving road networks and transportation systems to reduce transportation costs and ease market
linkage for catfish farmers.
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