THE PROBLEMS OF MARKETING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

In this research work, effort was made to X-ray the marketing of
agricultural products in Eastern Nigeria a case study of Alfa Poultry. This
is with view to presenting simple general problems in marketing of
agricultural products in Eastern Nigeria and to make recommendations where
necessary in order to find a lasting solution to these problems.

However, marketing as applied to agriculture consists of all processes and
services involved in moving food and other farm product from the producer
to the final consumers.

In recent years, the problems encountered by farmers in the marketing of
agricultural products includes storage, logistics, promotions, illiteracy,
lack of mechanized agriculture, transportation and price of other
commodities.

In addition, there is no doubt that efficient marketing of agricultural
products and realization of profits will encourage and motivate our local
farmers to invest more on agriculture but unfortunately, some constraints
associated with the marketing of agricultural products, agriculture in
Nigeria is gradually declining to subsistence farming only.

It is at this background that this project has become necessary not only as
an academic test but to find a lasting solution to the topic in question.

However, for want of time and cost, the research work was limited to Alfa
Poultry.

Both primary and secondary data was used in the investigations and a well
structured questionnaire were used for respondents to respond to, also the
problems the farmers, sellers, consumers e.t.c encountered and how they
would be taken care of was shown in the data.

Based on the findings, the problems associated with the marketing of
agricultural products in Eastern Nigeria could be dealt with by making the
following recommendations.

The following findings were made from the study.

1. The farmers have inadequate storage facilities to carry out their
various businesses.

2. Bad roads which lead to poor transportation network

3. There were no support from the government due to inadequate credit
insurance schemes to boost the farmers output.

4. The processes of agricultural products are not standardized in parallel
with the price of the commodities.

5. The consumption of locally manufactured goods are encouraged due to
importation of foreign goods which can also be produced locally, at times
agriculture are not included in the budgetary allocation which lead to lack
of interest on the side of the farmer to participate on agriculture.

Based on the above findings, the following recommendations were made.

1. Government should provide storage facilities.

2. Maintenance of roads and construction of new ones.

3. Agriculture credit insurance scheme should be provided for the farmers
to boost output.

4. Standardization of price of agricultural products in parallel with the
price of other commodities.

5. Encourage the consumption of locally manufactured goods.

6. Priority to agriculture on budgetary allocation. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Abstract

Acknowledgement

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

1.2 Statement of problems

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.4 Scope of the study

1.5 Research questions

1.6 Significance of the study

CHAPTER TWO:

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Origin of marketing

2.2 Marketing

2.3 Marketing activities

2.4 Agricultural marketing

2.5 Problems of marketing agricultural products

2.6 Marketing in Nigeria

2.7 Importance of agricultural marketing

CHAPTER THREE:

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Design of study

3.2 Area of study

3.3 Population of study

3.3.1 Sample and sampling techniques

3.4 Instrument for data collection

3.5 Validity/Reliability of research instrument

3.6 Method of Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR:

INTERPRETATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

4.1 Interpretation

4.2 Classification of respondents by sex

4.3 Classification of respondents by status

4.4 Classification of respondents by educational qualifications

4.5 What is your profession

4.6 Question

4.7 Question

4.8 Question

4.9 Question

4.10 Question

4.11 Question

4.12 Question

4.13 Question

4.14 Question

4.15 Question

CHAPTER FIVE:

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary of findings

5.2 Findings of the study

5.3 Conclusions

5.4 Recommendations

5.5 Area of further study

5.6 Limitation of study