Author: Ayinde, I.A.
Abstract
Over the years, marketing of agricultural output is seen as one of the most important factors affecting agricultural production in Nigeria because the typical small farmer plans his current production on the marketing experience of his previous farm output.
The dynamics of food marketing is changing rapidly with increasing urbanisation and involvement of more key institutions in the performance of agricultural markets (Dipeolu et. al., 2000). It is clear that the market dynamics for agricultural products vary with different agricultural product; hence, policies aimed at improving the markets for agricultural products need to take cognisance of these variations when handling various marketing issues. The lack of specific knowledge and understanding of existing formal and informal market institutions in urban Nigeria and their impact on the urban food systems forms the kernel of this research.
This study was carried out in line with the assertion of Porter et. al. (2004) on the need to understand how food marketing systems operate in order to assist and support the growing number of urban and peri-urban food producers and producer- marketers; who commonly wish to access established urban food marketing systems. The study focussed on the market dynamics for cowpeas; with emphasis on weight and measures in Kuto market located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study assesses the marketing chains for cowpeas from sources to the final destination, describes the gender/ethnic composition of selected key actors /intermediaries (wholesalers and retailers) in cowpeas market and examines the issues surrounding weights and measures in the cowpeas market.