ROLE OF ROAD TRANSPORTATION MODE IN THE MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
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ROLE OF ROAD TRANSPORTATION MODE IN THE MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
CHAPTER ONE 1.1 INTRODUCTION
The pursuit of self-sufficiency in food production is one of the top priorities for the majority of the world’s population today. It is also a problem that has the potential to worsen dramatically in the coming years.
On the other hand, problems relating to rural inaccessibility have continued to plogue the world, and in particular, Nigeria Agriculture. It is on this basis that the government and transport policy makers should intensify efforts to improve the transport system,
especially in the road network system. Their collective or individual efforts and endeavours should be directed towards fighting a war against hunger, and providing necessary transport facilities and services.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Agriculture and transportation have been inextricably linked since the beginning of time. This is not only because the source of food, fibre, and other economic products must be reasonably accessible and, once collected, distributed to makers, parts, and factories,
but also because adequate transportation modes and efficient carrier service operations are required for effective physical distribution of agricultural products.
Indeed, a reliable and efficient transportation network is a critical component of the modern food marketing system. Transportation serves as a means of transferring things, ideas, and information in order to boost productivity.
Roads are possibly the most significant infrastructure in Nigeria’s agricultural transportation system.
Most roads in Abakaliki traverse a territory of sharp contrasts in climate, soil, and vegetation, which impedes agricultural progress in some rural areas. Most roads, which are of course essential for the timely evacuation of produce from farms to market places, are frequently inaccessible all year.
Most of these roads, particularly feeder roads, are unsurfaced, narrow, bad, poorly drained, and meandering, preventing easy access to the hinterland, where the bulk of farmers are located.
Even in Abakaliki’s major town, where such roads are in fair shape, there is a problem caused by poor maintenance, a lack of adequate executive ability, a lack of appropriate materials, and a management issue.
The vicious mix of these elements results in increasing expenses, uncertain marketing opportunities, and low incentives to produce.
Furthermore, inadequate road network services are carried out inefficiently. Road transport is characterised by transit delays, poor loading and unloading, and rough handling of goods, all of which result in significant losses due to product damage, spoilage, and detonations.
Poor transportation also prevents farmers from specialising in crops with the highest returns. When transportation is limited, each former tries to provide for his family’s requirements, and as a result, he keeps more food than he actually need.
This is because if he runs out, it will be difficult to access alternative resources, resulting in larger losses due to transportation. This frequently causes a problem since urban inhabitants would confront a shortage of foodstuffs and other vital commodities made from agricultural materials.
As a result, the challenges that Nigeria faces with rural transportation impede the country’s potential to enhance the land use system for agricultural production.
If agriculture is to meet rising demand, it will need to develop a good progressive rural structure with rural roads to speed up and reduce the cost of the flow of agricultural commodities, information, and other rural services, allowing it to contribute meaningfully to overall economic growth.
This will help to accommodate higher traffic volumes in both directions, with inputs moving from metropolitan areas to farms and outputs going the other way.
The challenge entails making significant extensions to rural highways while also maintaining existing roads, expanding storage and processing facilities, and establishing a new institutional organisation for managing and financing the entire system.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study will aim to link road transport to the economy by examining the role of a road transport mode in marketing agricultural products in Abakaliki L.G.A., Ebonyi State. Objectives include:
i. Determine the impact of the road transport system on the marketing of agricultural products.
ii. Identify the elements that have directly contributed to this.
iii. To provide practical ideas for improving the success and effectiveness of agricultural product marketing in Abakaliki L.G.A., Ebonyi State.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
Based on the previously mentioned aims, this study will seek to evaluate three primary hypotheses. They are:
i. The nature of Abakaliki’s road mode system influences the sale of its agricultural products.
ii. Inaccessibility decreases the incentive to produce.
iii. The cost of transportation influences the price of agricultural products. That is, the price of agricultural products is determined by their transportation costs.
1.5 Significance of the Study:
The increased interest in this study is due in large part to the beneficial and developmental contributions that agriculture can bring to the economy, as well as the enormous importance that transportation infrastructure plays in local economies.
This is because transportation, development, and agriculture are typically seen as inextricably linked because each determines the fortures and relative pace of expansion of the others.
The study’s significance is further highlighted by the fact that in Nigeria, the road is the only mode of transport that connects all of the states of the federation,
particularly when it comes to the movement and distribution of agricultural products from various rural areas of production to the various urban areas of the states for consumption.
Finally, the study will serve as a stimulus or reference guide for future research in this field, particularly in current period of population growth and imminent food storage.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
In Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the majority of agricultural products (yams, garri, cassava, rice, vegetables, tomatoes, etc.) are grown in isolated settlements.
Because of differences in environmental elements such as climate, soil texture, and topography, some villages produce more of one or more types of food and agricultural products than others.
Given that the study covers the entire Abakaliki local government area, visiting all of the towns and villages in Abakaliki L.G.A. Ebonyi State would be time-consuming and nearly impossible due to time constraints.
Second, because the researcher cannot afford to visit all towns and villages, coupled with the final year academic work, and recognising that Abakaliki town is the greatest producer of the main staple food items (yam, garri, cassava, rice, groundnut, pepper) in the state,
the study will be restricted and limited to the aforesaid zone in investigating the role of road transport mode in marketing agricultural products.
1.7 Definition of Terms:
Given that the study’s focus is on the role of road transport in agricultural product marketing. Definition of the phrase will be attempted.
However, such definitions are simply created and should be understood within the context of the study.
Agriculture can be defined as the science, art, and business of farming; it encompasses all activities related to food production.
Marketing, on the other hand, is described as the performance of all business operations that direct the flow of goods and services from the producer to the customer, with an emphasis on the flow of previously produced products or services.
Agricultural marketing can thus be defined as the performance of all business activities involved in the flow of agricultural products and services from the point of initial agricultural production until they reach the hands of consumers.
It entails applying marketing knowledge to the formulation, implementation, and control of activities that are directly or indirectly related to agriculture.
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