Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) Haulm marketing and constraints in selected Northern States, Nigeria

This study examined the dynamics of groundnut haulm marketing in northern Nigeria states of Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi. Using a market survey in each state, data were collected from 101 haulm sellers using chance sampling with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the profile of the sellers, seasonality in quantity traded, price and revenue; marketing margin to determine marketing profits; and Chi-square to highlight the importance of the marketing constraints. The result shows the mean age of sellers was 51 years, 99% were males and 79% were literate. Revenue obtained from sale of haulm exhibited significant variations across locations and from season to season. The average revenue was lowest at N71,983/ha in October- December and highest at N135,382/ha in July- September. The major constraints that significantly affected haulm sellers were lack of adequate capital, lack of storage facility, high cost of transportation, lack of shades, high taxation and uncertainty in the market. With the positive marketing margin from the trade, mass cultivation of the high haulm yield varieties  and that relevant government and marketing agencies should tackle the important constraints in their states for improved haulm marketing were recommended. Key words: Groundnut haulm, marketing margin, Season, price, Revenue, constraints, Nigeria