Economics of oil bean (<i>Pentaclethra macrophylla</i>), seed marketing in Owerri Agricultural Zone , Imo State

Abstract

The study assessed the economics of oil bean marketing in Owerri agricultural zone of Imo state. Forty- five marketers oil bean marketers were randomly selected from three markets of the study area. Primary data were collected using structural questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using statistical tools such as mean, frequency and cost and return analysis. Results show that oil bean seeds marketing in the area are dominated by female marketers (90.44%). The marketers earned positive net returns of N3065 per 50kg and N410 per 20kg bag of oil bean seeds from marketing operations. Major constraints of oil bean seeds marketing include seasonal availability of oil bean seeds, high cost and lack of interest in seed gathering from the wild. To alleviate the problems, feeder roads and provisions of improved varieties are recommended.

Keywords: Oil bean, Marketers, Net returns, Agricultural Zone