Economic Analysis of Fresh Garlic Marketing in Bauchi Metropolis of Bauchi State

Abstract

This study analyzed the marketing system of fresh garlic in Bauchi metropolis of Bauchi State. Two-stage sampling techniques was employed to select thirty (30) garlic marketers. The main objective was to analyze garlic marketing in Bauchi metropolis, while the specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of Garlic marketers in the study area, to identify and describe the marketing channel of fresh garlic, to determine the efficiency of fresh garlic marketing, to determine the profitability of fresh garlic marketing, and also to describe constrains associated with garlic marketing in the study area. The data obtained were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Marketing Efficiency and Marketing Margin. Findings revealed that 43 % of fresh garlic retailer’s marketers fell within the age bracket of 31-40 years of age, while 57% of fresh garlic wholesaler’s marketers fell within the category of 20-30 which were the majority in study area. The gender representation is 91.3% and 86% dominated by male gender of both retailers and wholesalers respectively in the study area. The result revealed that the majority 70% of retailers and 57% of wholesalers of pepper marketers were married. Fresh garlic marketers in the area had one form of education. Majority of retailers and wholesalers have secondary education. The result also revealed that Net Marketing Margin of 500 N/kg and 449.65N/kg for 1kg for retailers and wholesalers respectively. The analysis also revealed that tomato marketing is a profitable enterprise with BCR of greater than one (with 1.08 for retailers and 1.07 for wholesalers). The marketing efficiency of fresh bell pepper was found to be 710.23% and 181.71% on retailers and wholesalers respectively. The major challenges to fresh pepper marketing were seasonality nature of pepper, perishability nature of pepper, absence of processing industries, and supply problem during wet season.  It was therefore recommended that pepper processing industries should be establish by private entrepreneurs was recommended to make resolving perishability of pepper produced.