ABSTRACT

The broad objective of this study was to analyze the profitability and marketing efficiency of ware yarn trading in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected for the study using a questionnaire from a random sample of 60 ware yarn marketers selected from Umuahia North Local Government area. Descriptive statistics, farm budgetary technique and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The result of this study showed that male engaged in yam trading than their female counterparts. The marketers had several years of experience. The farmers had limited access to credit. The selling price per tuber of yarn is high in the area. Ware yarn trading is viable and profitable in the study area with an average net income of N52, 023.73 per marketer per month. The marketers are inefficient in their ware yam trading business. Gender, age, education, marital status, number of dependency, market charges and selling price influenced the profitability of ware yarn marketers in the study area. Age, occupational status, years of farming experience, marital status and household size, and income level of the respondents influenced participation of marketers in ware yam trading in the study area. High cost of transportation, easy perishability of ware yam on storage, ware yam price fluctuation, high cost of shop, and lack of access to adequate loan/credit among challenges constrained ware yarn trading in the study area. the study recommend that an enabling environment should be created for ware yarn 'farmers to access adequate credit facilities, cheap labour and other marketing services that will better their marketing efficiency and enhance their profit.