ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study is to provide sufficient information on how to improve fresh okra marketing. The study economics of fresh okra marketing has its objectives as; to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the marketers, the profitability and marketing efficiency of okra marketing, factors influencing profit from okra marketing and identify the major constraints faced by okra marketers. The study was carried out in Umuahia, Abia State and primary data was collected through the use of questionnaire to capture all the variables needed for analysis. Objective one was analyzed through the use of tables, mean, percentages and it was found out that the age distribution of majority of the marketers were ranging between 41 to 50 years, level of education was predominantly secondary school, household size ranges mean of 8 persons, majority of the marketers were married and also all the respondents turned out to be women. The second objective was analyzed using cost and return analysis and marketing efficiency formula and it was found that the profit of the marketers was N174576.2 and marketing efficiency was 26.38%. Objective three was analyzed using multiple regressions and double log functional form was chosen and the factors that were significant were marital status, marketing experience, transportation cost, storage or rental cost and cost of loading and off loading. It. was also found out the major constraint faced by okra marketers include transportation cost, seasonal variation of okra, high cost of okra, inadequate credit facilities, lack of storage facilities, inadequate standard measurement and low demand of okra. In conclusion, it was found out that okra marketing is profitable yet not efficient. Marketers are encouraged to device means of reducing cost and tackle the above problems so as to attain efficiency in the nearest future.