ABSTRACT

This study assessed the effect of location on the performance of cattle marketers in Imo and Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the cattle marketers, assess the performance of cattle marketing with respect to net return, marketing margin, and marketing efficiency, ascertain the socio-economic factors influencing performance of cattle marketing, examine the structure of cattle marketing, ascertain the effect of location on the performance of cattle marketers and identify the major constraints facing cattle marketing in Imo and Abia states, Nigeria. Primary data used in the study were obtained using well-structured questionnaire administered to 120 cattle marketers who were randomly selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such means, percentages, marketing margin and efficiency model, multiple regression model, Gini Coefficient analysis and Z-statistics analysis. They results indicated a mean age 47 and 43 years for the primary and secondary marketers respectively, implying that majority of the respondents were of middle age and are active and vibrant. Majority of the respondents were males 85% and 87.5%, while 73.8% and 72.5% respectively of the primary and secondary cattle marketers were married. In terms of education, literacy level was more among the secondary cattle marketers 85%, while 38.8% were literate among the primary cattle marketers. The mean household size was 7 and 5 persons, with mean years of marketing experience of 14.45 and 10.53 for primary and secondary cattle marketers respectively. The cost of buying cattle accounted for 95.44% and 90.49% of the Total Variable Cost incurred by the marketers in the primary and secondary cattle markets respectively. Cattle marketing was profitable with a Net return of N358,404 and N191,166 for the primary and secondary cattle marketers respectively. The marketing margin was 12.52% and 20.83% for both sets of marketers. Marketing efficiency of 125% and 137% for cattle marketing indicated that the cattle marketers in the secondary market were more efficient than those who operated in the primary market. The results also showed that market performance was significantly influenced by marital status, household size, marketing experience, location, Labour, and length of keeping. Results from the Gini Coefficient indicated that the primary and secondary market approximated perfect competition with 0.13 and 0.47 for both markets respectively.  Results from the Z-test showed that location influenced performance of the cattle marketers, with the secondary cattle marketers having higher performance than the primary cattle marketers in the study area. Constraints faced by cattle marketers in the study area includes, inadequate capital, poor road networks, lack of shade/ inadequate market structure, fluctuations in demand, inadequate market information, inadequate market security, poor access road and animal mortality. The study concluded that location has an effect on performance of cattle marketers. Strengthening marketing institutions through capacity building for the cattle marketers and handling problems associated with transportation systems in marketing are recommended as steps necessary to enhance the performance of the cattle marketers in the study area.