ABSTRACT

The study examined the structure and performance of markets for potato in Umuahia north and south LGA, Abia State. The study covered five clans that are made up of Umuahia north and south Local Government Area of Abia State. Data was collected from a sampling frame proportion of 100 potato marketers comprising of the Wholesalers and the Retailers in the live clans. In the distribution of respondents across the clans, 4 Wholesalers and 6 Retailers where selected in the Minor markets. Then in the major markets, 6 Wholesalers and 4 Retailers where selected. Data collected was analyzed using statistical tools such as Frequencies, Percentages, Marketing margin, Gini co-efficient, Marketing efficiency and Regression Analysis. The Result of the Data show that initials dominates both the wholesale and the retails markets. The Market Share shows that the Wholesalers control the market with a larger proportion of income (80%) than Retailers (20%) respectively. The Gmi-co-efficicnt shows that the structure of the market is not perfectly competitive but the Retailers are more competitive than the Wholesalers. The Market performance shows that the potato market is profitable as shown by the Net return of N86, 424 and N9, 365.988k for Wholesalers and Retailers respectively. The Regression analysis shows that, years in education, marketing experience, transportation and purchase cost were positive and significant variables influencing the income generated among Wholesalers and Retailers, while age, household size and rent were negative and significant variables influencing the income generated among Wholesaler and Retailers of potato market. The major problems facing the potato marketers arc high transportation cost, poor access roads, lack of credit facilities, inadequate capital among others. Based on the findings, it is recommended that banks, and governments should grant credits and embark on road rehabilitation in order to improve on the efficiency of potato market.