ABSTRACT

The study analysed the gender differentials in the marketing of fish in Abia State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the 120 respondents (comprising of 60 male and 60 female). Data and information were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive analytical tools such as mean, frequencies, percentage and standard and multiple regression model. The result revealed that mean age was 40.5 and 39 years for female and male respectively. It was observed that majority of the respondents were married for both female (76.7%) and male (63.3%). Majority (86.7%) and (90%) of the respondents had formal education for both female and male. The mean household size for both female and male was 6 persons. On average, the marketers have spent about 8 and 6 years in marketing by female and male respectively. Majority (80%) and (66.7%) of the female and male have access to marketing credit. Gini coefficient computation of the male and female fish marketers were (0.62) and (0.744). the net revenue of N126,677.8 for male fish marketers, while the net income of female fish marketers was N141,223.6 for the result on factors influencing the net return of male fish marketers, the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.960 while age, household size, level of education, purchase cost and quantity sold were significant variables influencing the net return of female fish marketers. Results on effect of marketing cost on the quantity of fish marketed by male fish marketers revealed the coefficient of determination as 0.815% while cost of fish, storage cost, transport cost and taxes were significant variables that influence the quantity of fish sold in the study area. Results on effect of marketing cost on the quantity of fish marketed by female fish marketers revealed the coefficient of multiple determination as 0.815% while initial capital invested, processing cost, storage cost and taxes were significant variables that influenced the quantity of fish sold. The major problem affecting of fish was inadequate capital for both male and female with percentage of 90% and 93% respectively. The study therefore recommends the need for a strong inter-state partnership in order to encourage businesses in terms of supply of fish across the state and neighboring state, in other to develop an effective marketing system.