Theory question 109
Marketing of Agricultural Produce(a) List four marketing agents for agricultural products.
(b) Discuss briefly four importance of middlemen in agricultural marketing.
(c) Outline eight problems of agricultural marketing in Nigeria.
Show the model answer
(a) Any four: farmers/producers; middlemen (wholesalers, retailers, brokers, commission agents); cooperative societies; commodity boards/marketing agencies; processors; exporters
(b) Any four: buy in bulk, saving farmers' time; provide storage and transport; grade, process and package produce; give credit/advance payment to farmers; provide market information; bear risks; bridge producers and consumers
(c) Any eight: poor roads and transport; lack of storage; perishability; price fluctuations; exploitation by middlemen; lack of grading/standards; small, scattered supply; lack of market information; poor packaging and processing; inadequate finance; multiple taxes and levies; insecurity
Give a short explanation for each importance.