Higher Margin or Loss? Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Marketing in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study estimated the determinants of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) marketing in Abia State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 40 OFSP marketers. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, oral interview, and personal observation. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin, and ordinary least square regression model. The results from the study showed that the mean age, household size, marketing experience, and income of the respondents were 50.55 years, 6 persons, 8.30 years, and ₦159,137.50, respectively. Also, 52.5%, 95.0%, 60.0 and 55.0% were female, married, cooperative membership, and had no access to credit, respectively. The marketing margin of marketers was 61.63%. Regression results show that a reduction in age (10%), agent cost (1%), transportation cost (1%), and an increasing purchase cost (1%), labor cost (10%), and marketing levies (1%) all affect OFSP marketing margin. Difficulty in entering the market, long distances, high cost of transportation, and low demand for the product were the major factors that constrained the marketing of OFSP in the study area. The study recommends that marketers should leverage the incentives provided by the cooperative associations. The government should provide infrastructures such as a good road network to rural areas where OFSP farms are located for easy access. Finally, measures should be put in place to create awareness of the nutritional benefits and importance of OFSP as a food security crop.