Economies of rubber-based farming system: A case of indigenous African pear marketing in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

African pear is an emerging economic fruit tree that can make a great contribution to poverty reduction in communities where it is grown. Its demand is high, thus the marketing of the produce is as essential as its production because increases in production without a well-developed marketing system lead to postharvest losses of all possible gains. The study thus analyzed marketing channels and efficiency of the African pear in Edo South Local Government Area of Edo State. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 120 respondents within the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and marketing margin. The major marketing channel for the African pear was from the farmers to wholesalers and then to retailers. The result of the Market margin obtained per week in July, 2016 was N490, 766.99 with average marketing efficiency value of 2.75. The major constraint affecting the pear marketers was the perishable nature of the fruit.The study suggests that this constraint can be minimized if the marketers have access to better storage facilities like fiber baskets. This will go a long way in reducing the problem of damage during transportation of the fruits.