The Effect of Promotional Activities of Agricultural Cooperatives on Market Linkage of farmers in Anambra State

Abstract

The study examined agricultural cooperative societies and market linkage of rural farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the need to link rural farmers directly to markets through collective efforts of agricultural cooperatives and to serve to reduce exploitation by middlemen. The specific objectives are to: determine the extent to which standardisation has influenced market linkage of farmers in Anambra State, to examine the extent to which market research has influenced market linkage of farmers in Anambra State. The area of study is Anambra State where 388 members of agricultural cooperatives were selected from 870 registered agricultural cooperatives. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The study employed regression technique, mean, frequency and percentage in analysing the data obtained. The study found out that standardization and market research have a significant influence on market linkage of farmers in Anambra state at 5% level of significance (F ratio of 12.695, 46.354 @ 0.00% and 1% level of significance respectively). The study identified cooperatives as a veritable tool for market linkage and recommends the increase in technical, moisture and product weight standardization to improve market linkage, it also suggested that research on changing market trends and tastes of customers should be carried out occasionally.