ABSTRACT
This work aims to find out the determinants of marketable
surplus of melon among small holder farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of
Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic
characteristics of the respondents; examine the marketing channels; estimate
the determinants of marketable surplus among women melon traders in the study
area; estimate the performance of the women; and make recommendation based on
the findings. Four communities in Ikwuano Local Government Area were first
selected; this was followed by a random selection 40 of farmers from these
communities, giving a total of 160 respondents. Primary'source of data was
employed in this study which leading to the use of questiomnaire administered
to the respondents. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and multiple
regression were used in the analysis of the data. The results showed that
majority of the farmers were between the ages of 40 -. 50 years. About 78.8% of
the respondents are with 16 years and above in terms of. cultivation and
marketing of melon. The result also showed that 59.4% respondents have no
education, 31.2% respondents have WAECINECO 6.2% respondents are OND/NCE
holders while 3.1% respondents are HNDIB.Sc holders. Majority of them, about
43.75% of the respondents had a household size of between 6 - 10; 52.5% of the
respondents own between I - 2.9 acres of land and 50% of the respondents
produce between 1 - 5 bags of melon in a year. Majority of the respondents,
59.4% employed direct selling as their marketing channel. The regression
results showed that the coefficient of age, household size, farmer's
experience, transportation cost, output level and revenue from sales were major
determinants of marketable surplus in the study area. The variables were
significant at different probability levels with different signs. The average
sum of 1,337,000 was made from sale of marketable surplus of melon out of which
a total amount of 1,127,500 was realized as the profit. In addition, the
highest amount of profit was made in the month of August representing 95% of
the total sale in that month. The study therefore recommends that younger
people should be encouraged to go into farming. This is especially so given
that the venture is a very profitable one and the older generation involved in
farming now are gradually leaving the scene. It is alsO recommended that
transportation costs and its associated costs be reduced. To this end,
government attention is needed. This in no small way will encourage these
farmers to produce more, even for the market.
ISIKA, O (2021). Marketable Surplus Of Melon (Cucumerupsis mannii) Among Women Small Holder Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/marketable-surplus-of-melon-cucumerupsis-mannii-among-women-small-holder-farmers-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-7-2
OLUCHI, ISIKA. "Marketable Surplus Of Melon (Cucumerupsis mannii) Among Women Small Holder Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 12 Oct. 2021, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/marketable-surplus-of-melon-cucumerupsis-mannii-among-women-small-holder-farmers-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
OLUCHI, ISIKA. "Marketable Surplus Of Melon (Cucumerupsis mannii) Among Women Small Holder Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 12 Oct. 2021. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/marketable-surplus-of-melon-cucumerupsis-mannii-among-women-small-holder-farmers-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
OLUCHI, ISIKA. "Marketable Surplus Of Melon (Cucumerupsis mannii) Among Women Small Holder Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org (2021). Accessed 24 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/marketable-surplus-of-melon-cucumerupsis-mannii-among-women-small-holder-farmers-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-7-2