Transport Factor in Cash Crop Production and Distribution - The Kolanut Example

Abstract

This study examines the role of transport in cash crop production and distribution in Nigeria. The methodology was based on the concept of re-distributive marketing and case study was Kolanut production in Remoland, Ogun State, South-western Nigeria. The primary data was collected through the use of observation, field survey, interviews and the administration of three main sets of questionnaires for Kolanut farmers, traders, and transporters. The data collected on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were analysed by using simple measures of central tendencies. Pearson Product Moment Coefficient was used to test the closeness of the relationship that the means of transportation of Kolanut is directly related to the type of trips. Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to test the relationship between the factors responsible for the low agricultural production generally and the factors mentioned by the respondents and the relationship between the ranking of the distributional problems and the ranking of the suggested problem. The study confirmed the importance of the role of transportation in an efficient agricultural development and that the Kolanut producing areas and not quite accessible and they are faced with serious transportation problems which affected their level of production and the enthusiasm to produce more. On the same vein, the movement of Kolanut from the producing to the consuming areas has been hampered by the dominant use of inefficient means of transportation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for transformation of the agricultural producing areas in particular through the provision of great, adequate and reliable transport infrastructures.