PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera. L) MARKETING IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
K. Abdulaziz1,A. Mustapha2,A. Suleiman2, A.S. Sambo3, and M.M. Bada4
1Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Plot 223D, Cadastral Zone B6, Mabushi-Abuja
2Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bayero University, Kano
3Department of Agricultural Extension & Management, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Samaru-Kataf Campus
4Bank of Agriculture, Maiduguri Main Branch, Maiduguri
Email: kabeerabdulazeez@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
The study analysed the profitability of date palm marketing in Jigawa state. A multi stage sampling technique was used for selecting samples for the study. In the first stage, four Local Government Areas were purposively selected from the state. This was followed by purposive selection of four markets, one from each LGA based on prevalence of date palm in the markets. A total of 121 respondents were randomly selected (54 wholesalers and 67 retailers) to form the sample size. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and marketing efficiency. Results on socioeconomic characteristics revealed that all the traders were male, majority of whom were married and within their economically active age with mean age of 40 and 37 years for wholesalers and retailers respectively. The result further revealed that 42.6% of the wholesalers had no formal education, with 12–21 years of marketing experience, while 43.3% of the retailers had only primary school education and 2–11 years marketing experience. Results of marketing margin analysis revealed that fresh and dried dates marketing is profitable at both wholesale and retail levels. Results on constraints of date palm marketing ranked pest infestation 1st, with 22%, followed by increased cost of transportation 2nd with 17%, and inadequate capital 3rd with 15%. The study recommended that; breeders be encouraged to develop new improved varieties of dates that are pests and diseases resistant, the provision of appropriate storage facilities, loans, banking facilities and physical market facilities by the association, government and other stakeholders; increased local production so as to produce marketable surpluses to meet local demand and ensure all year round supply of the product, reduce high rate of importation and allow for future exportation to other countries. The study further recommended awareness on the potential of date palm to encourage youth participation and reduce unemployment.
