Marketing and market integration of rice in Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study analyzed the marketing and market integration of rice in Abia State. Specifically, the study examined the co-movement of prices and the transmission of price signals and information across spatially separated markets, determine the magnitude of rice integration and its profitability in the market, examine the factors influencing profit of rice marketers and identify the constraints faced by the rice marketers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. Primary data was obtained using a well-structured questionnaire administered to sixty (60) respondents (rice marketers) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis and Bivariate correlation. The result shows that rice marketing was profitable by returning a profit of ₦43292.99k per month. Marketing experience, age, level of educational attainment, quantity of rice purchased, purchased price, selling price, storage cost and other charges like the toll fees, phone calls are the significant variables influencing profit. From the result gotten also, it shows that there is high price integration between the urban and rural markets. Also, from the result, it shows that there was a constant rise in the price of rice due to the government policy on the ban of the importation of rice. The greatest problems encountered by the rice marketers were government policy on the ban of importation of rice in the country, inadequate finance, high transportation costs/bad roads, high cost of rice per bag, high rate of taxation. Consequently, to improve the level of market integration of rice in Abia State, transportation, processing, storage, communication and credit facilities should be provided.
Keywords: Marketing, Market, Integration and Rice
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