INONI, Oghenenyerhovwo Rita1, IRHIVBEN, Bright Odafe2, ENI, Enor Ikperite3 & INONI, Odjuvwuederhie Emmanuel4
1Department of Marketing,
2,4Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness,
3Department of Crop Science and Land Management,
Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
oghenenyerhovwo.inoni@dou.edu.ng; irhivben.bright@dou.edu.ng; eni.enor@dou.edu.ng; emmanuel.inoni@dou.edu.ng
Abstract
Cowpeas are nutritious source of protein that can enhance diets and address the food insecurity question in many sub-Saharan African countries. While much effort has been devoted to producers and consumers of the product, the role of marketers connecting these groups is also important. Hence the study focused on the analysis of cowpea product marketing and performance in Warri Delta State. It examined the structure, conduct and performance of cowpea marketing in Delta State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to collect data from a sample of 153 cowpea marketers in Igbudu, Okere, and Pesu, Markets, using a well-structured questionnaire. The results indicate that 83.2 % of retailers and 73.9% of wholesalers were aged 33 to 56 years. Net margin is ₦44,050.00 and ₦42,800.00 per 100kg bag respectively, for retailers and wholesalers. Net margin-to-total-cost ratio are 23.2% and 31.2%; implying that for every ₦1.00 invested, net return is 23 kobo and 31kobo respectively, for retailers and wholesalers. Gini coefficients are 0.48, 0.45, while marketing efficiency are 81.2% and 76.2%, for retailers and wholesalers. Thus, while concentration is low, the market is inefficient. Inadequate working capital is the most critical challenge sellers grapple with in cowpea marketing. The authors recommend that cowpea marketers should embrace cooperative membership to improve access to financial resources, enhance market intelligence, and facilitate better information sharing, to improve their well-being.
Keywords: Cowpea product marketing, performance, net margin, market conduct, gini coefficient.