ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the marketing efficiency of bambara in Nsuka zone of Enugu State. The objectives of the study are to determine the socio-economic characteristics of bambara markers, to examine the marketing channel for bambara, to determine the cost and returns of marketing bambara, to examine the price relationships in the market, to identify problems of marketing bambara and make possible recommendations for improving efficient marketing. For the purpose of study, Nsuka L.G.A was purposively selected. A purposive sampling technique was used to select four main markets in four communities where ten marketers were selected from each markets. Information collected from primary source was from forty marketers. Analytical tools were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, tables, percentages and mean, cost and returns model and regression analysis. The major marketing problems lack of storage facilities, high cost of transportation, seasonal scarcity and instability of price, capital constraint to marketers. From the research study, results reveal that singles dominate the business in the study area. The result shows that the market was profitable and viable while the price integration in the four markets was strongly integrated, though the integration was not perfect. The recommendations from the study were for government to reduce the major constraints in the marketing of bambara groundnut by making the roads accessible and make, policies that will improve the marketing of the commodity. Also, the significant factors influencing the marketing efficiency of the marketers should be taken into consideration in formulating policies and programs for marketers and related sectors.