Theory question 110
Marketing of Agricultural ProduceWrite short notes on the following as they relate to the marketing of agricultural produce:
(a) Marketing/Commodity Boards
(b) Co-operative Societies
(c) Middlemen/Wholesalers
(d) Producers.
Show the model answer
(a) Marketing/commodity boards: government bodies that buy export crops (cocoa, palm produce, groundnut), fix prices, grade and control quality, store and export produce, stabilise farmers' income
(b) Co-operative societies: farmers pool resources to buy inputs and sell produce in bulk, get better prices, give credit and education to members
(c) Middlemen/wholesalers: buy in bulk from farmers, store, grade, transport and sell to retailers or processors; bridge producer and consumer but may raise prices and exploit farmers
(d) Producers: farmers who grow the produce; may sell directly at farm gate or local markets, prepare produce (clean, grade) for sale
Say what each does in the marketing chain and how it helps or affects the farmer.