Rapid urbanization, combined with a growing preference for quick and convenient foods among urban residents, has sharply increased demand for plantains. However, marketers have struggled to meet this demand due to challenges such as rising input costs, calling into question the sustainability of profit margins. This study therefore conducts a socioeconomic analysis of plantain marketing in Anambra State using primary data. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted: in the first stage, four Local Government Areas (Awka South, Ogbaru, Idemili North, and Anambra West) were purposively selected based on the concentration of plantain marketers. From each LGA, three communities were randomly chosen, and from each community, ten farmers were randomly selected—yielding a total sample of 120 farmers. A structured questionnaire captured data on socioeconomic characteristics, costs and returns, and marketing constraints. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, marketing efficiency metrics, and a Likert scale. Results show that women constituted the majority of marketers (63.3%), with a mean age of 50 years. Married respondents formed the largest marital group (46.7%), and over half (55%) had no formal education. On average, respondents had 21.42 years of farming experience and a household size of six. There was no functional cooperative among marketers, and 95% operated on a small scale. The gross margin was ₦63,000. Key constraints included poor road infrastructure, high labor costs, seasonal fluctuations in supply, and high stall/space rental fees. The study recommends improving road networks, facilitating the formation and strengthening of cooperative societies, and implementing targeted support to reduce marketing costs and volatility.

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Received Date: 0000-00-00

Revised Date: 0000-00-00

Accepted Date: 0000-00-00

Available online: 0000-00-00

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*Corresponding author: nj.obiekwe@unizik.edu.ng

Copyright 2012 SASI

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