PROSPECT AND CONSTRAINTS OF MARKETING OF MUSA SPP. IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The bulk of banana and plantain (Musa spp.) output in Nigeria comes from large numbers of very small and scattered farms, making the task of collection and distribution complicated. A survey was undertaken with 150 marketers to study the prospects and constraints of marketing of banana and plantain in Southwest Nigeria. The majority of respondents (68%) were middle-aged people. Analysis also indicated that 40, 35 and 53% sourced their funds through contributions (‘esusu’), family and personal savings, respectively. The majority of respondents (72%) experienced collection problems, since farms are small and scattered with little access. The average purchasing prices of a big and small plantain bunch were Ν251 and 96, respectively, while those for a big and small banana bunch were Ν105 and 63, respectively ($1 = Ν116; May 2008). The average selling price of a big and small plantain bunch were Ν573 and 189, respectively, while those for a big and small bunch of banana were Ν251 and 125, respectively. The cost price was significantly different from the selling price of plantain and banana, indicating that marketing is potentially highly profitable. Based on our survey, profitability could be increased if the government assists in the provision of credit facilities to the sellers and accessible roads to the producers.