TO ANALYZE THE PROFITABILITY OF YELLOW CORN (ZEA MAIZE LINNAEUS) MARKETERS IN SOME SELECTED AGRO-COMMODITY MARKETS WITHIN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE NIGERI

ABSTRACT The study was carried out to analyze the profitability of yellow corn (zea maize Linnaeus) marketers in some selected agro-commodity markets within Jos North local government Area of plateau state Nigeria. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire and oral interview from one hundred and five (105) respondents that were drawn in the study area. The objectives were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean, markert margin and multiple regression analysis. Farmer's Role: The farmer's production and transportation costs form a large portion of the total cost (20,700 ₦/100kg), leaving a margin of ₦9,300. This shows that while they incur most of the production costs, they benefit significantly from selling directly at the farm gate. Wholesaler's Role: The wholesaler incurs the highest costs in terms of transportation and processing (₦4,200). With a marketing margin of ₦10,000, the wholesaler enjoys relatively good efficiency (238%), indicating their ability to pass on value without significantly increasing their costs. Retailer's Role: The retailer, with the lowest cost incurred (₦2,200), enjoys the highest marketing efficiency (454.55%). This suggests that retailers are in the most advantageous position, as they add significant value with minimal cost relative to their selling price. Marketing Margin and Efficiency: The marketing margin analysis shows that value is added at each stage, but the efficiency of adding this value varies. Retailers and wholesalers have better marketing efficiencies compared to farmers, indicating that most value in the chain is captured at the wholesale and retail stages rather than at the production stage. This could indicate inefficiencies in the farm-level production and distribution, which could be improved through better logistics, infrastructure, and support systems. The socio-economic characteristics revealed that male constituted about 65% of yellow corn marketing in the study area. 95% of the population were married. Most 51% of the respondents had secondary Education. Majority 74% does not belong to any trade association/union. 50% of the respondents had personal savings as their source of income. The constraints faced by the respondent’s inadequate capital (90%), poor access to credit (87%), demand and supply (85%), high market cost (83%), price fluctuation (79%), poor infrastructure (76%), poor access to market information (73%), low adoption of storage technology (53%), and poor grading (50%). This study recommends that Government through Agencies responsible should make policies suitable help stabilize price to maximize profits of yellow corn marketers.