ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to analyse the fruit and vegetable market chain in Tubah market North-West Region of Cameroon. Specifically, the objectives, were to determine the socio-economic characteristics of fruits and vegetable sellers, to identify the major fruits and vegetable marketing channels, to quantify the marketing margins within the fruits and vegetable market chain and to identify the factors affecting the quantity of fruits and vegetable supplied to the market. The study was based on a survey of 100 marketers randomly selected in Tubah market area. A descriptive research design was used in the study and data were collected using oral interviews and a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentage, market margins, marketing channel analysis and multiple regression model to identify existing marketing channels used by vegetable marketers, determine the profitability of fruit and vegetable and isolate factors that affect quantity supplied of fruit and vegetable along the market chain by SPSS 21.0. The study revealed that majority (64.44%) of the marketers are females. The average age of the fruit and vegetable respondent was (20.5). Major types of fruits and vegetable marketed in the area include potato, cabbage, lettuce, onion, cabbages and banana etc. Local government harassments (70.0%), lack of support from government (94.4%), high cost of transportation (72.2%) and inadequate finance (80.0%) were the most perceived problems of marketing by the fruit and vegetable respondents. Channels that included local markets had high total gross margins. The regression analysis showed that quantity of fruit and vegetable produced, is affected by their socio-economic characteristics of the marketers at p-value 005 (5% level). The study recommended that future intervention strategies be made by government to promote vegetables marketing in the study area as there is still room for market intermediaries to improve their technical knowledge and skill in marketing of vegetables through training, construction of roads networks, so that the marketing system will become more responsive to consumers’ demand.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Although horticultural crops are important for health and economy the amount and mode of production is still weak in Cameroon. Horticultural crops can be differentiated as fruit (permanent crops) and vegetables (short season crops). Accordingly, permanent crops are long term crops that occupy the filed planted for a long period of time and largely harvested every year and do not have to be replanted for several years after each harvest. These include tree crops such as coffee, Chat, oranges, Mangoes, Bananas, papaya, Avocados…etc. The trees that yield fruits like orange, Mangoes, Papayas, and others are known as fruit trees (CSA, 2001).

Diversification into horticultural crops is becoming attractive for many poor farmers around the world. Worldwide production of fruit and vegetable crops has grown faster than that of cereal crops, albeit from a much lower base. Between 1960 and 2000, the area under horticultural crops worldwide has more than doubled. There are several reasons for the global increase in production and trade of fruit and vegetable crops. Horticultural production is profitable. Farmers involved in horticultural production usually earn much higher farm incomes as compared to cereal producers and per capita farm income has been reported up to five times higher (Lumpkin et al., 2005).

Vegetable constitute the most important and inexpensive component of a balanced diet, which people now realize due to their high nutritive values indispensable for the body. Originally, vegetables were collected from the wild by hunter-gatherers and entered cultivation in several parts of the world, probably during the period 1,000BC to 7,000BC, when a new agricultural way of life developed (Olatomide and Omowumi, 2017).

Fresh tropical fruits are on winning ground in world markets as to recent statistical figures (Anonymous, 2001). Its production has risen by 7% annually since 1997 and the bulk of these fruits (98%) are grown in developing countries. The main reason for increase in demand of tropical fruits is the growing familiarity of consumers with tropical fruits; their taste, nutritional value and cooking qualities.

IFAD’s regional strategy for sub-Saharan Africa focuses on enhancing the income of small holders within the context of trade liberalization. Smallholder production and the marketing of fruits and vegetables is a key focus (IFAD, 2003). Most fruits are perennial trees and can live more than fifty years (e.g. Mangoes). Apart from their economic importance, they are forest and environmentally friendly to fight against drought, use as shade, firewood, food security, agro industry, export, etc. Fruits account for a substantial fraction of world’s agricultural output and some of such as apple have acquired extensive cultural and symbolic meanings.

Fruits and vegetables are produced seasonally, but the market requires products throughout the year. As technology improved and consumer incomes increased, it became possible to provide fresh produce year-round (Olatomide and Omowumi, 2017).

Considering vividness in the requirement of soil and season, farmers can grow vegetable crops throughout the year for earning regular and steady income to meet the daily expenditure. Despite the importance of these crops there are various production constraints wherever they are grown in the country, which includes high cost of inputs, transportation, accessibility to market and insect pests and disease infestation (Olatomide and Omowumi, 2017). Many governments encourage their citizens to consume plenty of fruits and vegetables five or more portions a day often being recommended.

 

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The knowledge of domestic consumers of the benefits of fruits and vegetables is confined to very few varieties of fruits and vegetables. Hence, domestic demand with the exception of few widely known tropical fruits is generally small and various studies show that people generally consume fruits and vegetables on a daily basis without considering them as basic (Olatomide and Omowumi, 2017). Studies have shown that, the production of fruits and vegetable is seasonal and price is inversely related to supply (Bezabih and Hadera, 2007). During the peak supply period, the prices decline. The situation is worsened by the perishability nature of the products and poor storage facilities. Along the market channel, 25% of the product is spoiled. Studies by the World Bank Group (2006), shows that, lack of concerted public support, scanty information, poor understanding of how the market chain works and lack of systematic documented knowledge are main threats that hampered the benefit of the sector.

Thus, comprehensive data collection along the chain is a must to envisage the direction of input-output flows. If these problems are not well addressed right onwards, it is obvious the country’s competitiveness would trail far behind the existing stage both at national and international level.

 

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.3.1 MAIN OBJECTIVE

The main purpose of the study is to analyse the fruits and vegetable market chain and investigate the factors that influence the supply of fruit and vegetable in Tubah Market, in the North West region of Cameroon.

 

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the socio-economic characteristics of fruits and vegetable sellers.
2. To quantify the marketing margins within the fruits and vegetable market chain.

• To identify the factors affecting the quantity of fruits and vegetable supplied to the market.

 

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the socio-economic characteristics of fruits and vegetable sellers?
2. What are the problems of fruits and vegetable marketing in the study area?
3. What are the marketing margins within the fruits and vegetable market chain?
4. What are the factors that affect Fruit and vegetable supply in the study area?

 

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study would be limited to investigating fruits and vegetable market chain in the Tubah market.

 

1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

This study might generate important information useful to formulate fruit and vegetable marketing development programs and guidelines for interventions that would improve efficiency of the fruit and vegetable marketing system. The potential users of the results of this study would be farmers, traders, policy makers, governmental and non-governmental organization, who want to introduce interventions in fruit and vegetable marketing system. Furthermore, this study could be used as source material for further study

 

1.7 DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

 Horticulture is a branch of agriculture concerned with producing fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants.

Fruits are mainly tropical and sub-tropical ones and the major ones are banana, oranges, papayas, grapes, mandarins, avocados, strawberries and others.

Vegetable is the designation given to that group of horticultural plants grown for human consumption either for their roots, tubers, shoots, stems, leaves, flower buds, flowers, fruit or seed (Nonnecke, 1989). The major vegetables include potatoes, tomatoes, guava, onion, shallots, pumpkins, green fines, bobby beans and all sorts of leafy vegetables.