ABSTRACT

The study analyzed plantain marketing in Afijio Local Government Area. The study was carried out in 6 major markets purposively selected (Ilora, Awe, Fiditi, Ijaye, Ojutaye, and Eleekara). Information was generated from one hundred and twenty (120) respondents in the study area using a well-structured questionnaire to examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, estimate the profitability of plantain marketing, and assess marketing functions and constraints facing plantain marketing. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and benefit-cost ratio. The result showed that 98.3% were female, ranged in age from 31-40 years (35.0%), implying that average-aged women dominated plantain marketing in the study area. Majority of them were married (55.0%), and 72.5% of them had at least primary education. The result also revealed that average total cost was ₦46,470 monthly with total return and net return being ₦59,500 and ₦12,530 respectively. The selling price of plantains was significant, and positively related to marketing efficiency at 1%. The findings further revealed that plantain marketing was profitable, since the benefit cost ratio (BCR) was greater than one. A BCR of 1.27 meant that every ₦1.00 invested into plantain marketing business yielded ₦0.27k as profit. The major constraints encountered by the marketers of plantain were inadequate funds and rapid deterioration in quality. It was therefore recommended that registered plantain marketers should be organized into cooperative society for easy access to loans from credit institutions, and for receiving vital information from government institutions and non-governmental organizations.