ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BEEF MARKETING IN ETINAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE

ABSTRACT The study analyzed the economics of beef marketing in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It specifically assessed the socioeconomic characteristics of beef marketers, identified the marketing channel of beef marketers, estimated the gross margin of beef marketers, identified the factors that affect the gross margin and constraints of beef marketing in the study area. Structured questionnaire was administered to 120 (one hundred and twenty) beef marketers selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive tools (such as frequency counts, percentages and tables), gross margin and multiple regression model method as well as four (4) point Likert scale rating. Findings showed that a greater percentage (53.3%) of the respondents were female, a higher proportion (45.83%) were married and belonged to the household size ranging between 1-3 persons (39.17%). About 3.33% had some levels of training in primary school, 27.50% equally had various levels of secondary school education, 25% were holders of OND/NCE certificates. 29.17% were HND/BSc/BA certificate holders, while 14.17% and 0.83% respectively master and PhD degree holders. The gross margin from the marketing per respondents was N39,962.75. Result of the multiple regression indicated that marital status, household size and income of marketers from other sources of business were significant variables affecting gross margin of beef marketing in the study area. The result further showed that the major problem showed that the major problems include; high capital demand for starting the beef marketing business, high cost of transportation and inadequate storage facilities as major problems in the study area. The study recommended that government should provide site for more abattoirs close to major markets to reduce cost of transportation and also beef marketers should have saving culture to boost their capital that would reduce their dependence on banks for loan.