ABSTRACT

research was designed to examine the structure, conduct and performance of sweetpotato market in south east agro ecological zone of Nigeria. The objectives of the study examined were the socioeconomic characteristics of the traders, channels of distribution of sweetpotato, structure, conduct and performance of sweetpotato markets. Others were factors influencing marketing efficiency and problems faced by the operators in the market. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting of 408 respondents. This involved random selection of four states - Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi and .Enugu States, from the nine states of the south east agro-ecological zone; random selection of two agricultural zones from each of the chosen states and, three markets from which 48 producers, 120 wholesalers and 240 retailers were randomly drawn. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, such as, tables, means, and frequencies and econometric tools, such as, correlation coefficient, multiple regression models and Gini coefficient, marketing costs and returns analysis, Chi-square and Duncan multiple range tests. Results showed that there were more males on the wholesale sector while females dominated the retail sector. The mean ages of the wholesalers and retailers were 42 years and 35 years respectively, implying that the marketers were relatively young people. Wholesalers mean educational qualification was 11 which were negative and significant at 5%. The major constraints encountered by the traders were lack of credit facilities, perishability, lack of good processing technology, poor access roads, inadequate market stalls, high transport cost, bulkiness of the commodity, lack of storage facilities and attitude of law enforcement agents among others. Based on the findings of this research work, it was recommended that Government and policy makers should formulate policies aimed at improving the sweetpotato marketing system in Nigeria. which were negative and significant at 5%. The major constraints encountered by the traders were lack of credit facilities, perishability, lack of good processing technology, poor access roads, inadequate market stalls, high transport cost, bulkiness of the commodity, lack of storage facilities and attitude of law enforcement agents among others. Based on the findings of this research work, it was recommended that Government and policy makers should formulate policies aimed at improving the sweetpotato marketing system in Nigeria.