A socio-economic analysis of the marketing chain for under-utilised indigenous vegetables in southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

The study investigated the socio-economic and gender characteristics of the marketers of under-utilised indigenous vegetable species which are gaining prominence in the nutrition and livelihood of people in southwestern Nigeria. The larger study was carried in four states (Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti) where major vegetable markets were purposively sampled in the year 2010. However, this survey was also purposively carried out in two (Rain Forest and Derived Savanna zones) agro-ecological zones in Osun State with prominent features of horticultural agriculture representative of the southwestern zone. Further, preponderance of under-utilised indigenous vegetables and agro-ecological features were criteria used to select 16 communities and 13 marketers from each community giving a total of 208 respondents. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents through the use of interviews and farm business survey. Elderly women (51-60 years) with an average family size of six members are the main marketers of underutilised vegetable species. The underutilised species which are: Worowo (Solanecio biafrae), Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Ebolo (Crassocephalum crepidoides), are marketed using the established vegetable marketing channels as almost all the respondents are involved in marketing of all types of vegetable species. The key stakeholders in the marketing chain of the underutilised vegetable species are: gatherers, sedentary traders and mobile retailer who are mostly (75 %) women. On daily basis, 30 bunches each weighing about 500 g are sold by each marketer for an average of NGN100 kg-1. Most (62 %) marketers sustain their families through the income made from the enterprise. Channel pathway for the underutilised vegetable species is more complex than that of regular exotic species, and the prices are determined unconventionally since there are no standard measurements. The key challenge being faced by the marketers is that of seasonality which makes it difficult to establish permanent distribution channels. Therefore, there a need for a conscious integration of these underutilised varieties into the mainstream vegetable production scheme to ensure consistent supply to the market, as well as the exploration of other marketing channels. Further, it is needful to build the capacity of these elderly women in value addition so as to increase the shelf life as well as the potential of the enterprise to improve their livelihood.