Agricultural marketing plays a vital role in economic development and livelihood of people in developing countries. Marketing of agricultural products which provide income to most farmers and marketers in Nigeria has been characterised with a lot of deficiencies which have constrained sustainable development and economic growth. This study, therefore, analysed carrot and cucumber marketing including constraints to their effective marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Data collected, primarily, were analysed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and Likert type rating technique. The result shows that vegetable marketing was dominated by females (65%) who were still in their economically active age and did not belong to a cooperative society. Half of them perform a retail marketing function, 30% perform both retail and wholesale functions while 20% perform wholesale function. Vegetable marketing contributed to marketers’ income by providing N25,667.7 (USD 66.93) per month on average. The marketing margins were 26.30% and 20.18% for cucumber and carrot, respectively. The high cost of shop rent, high transportation cost, low capital, price fluctuation, poor credit facilities and a low supply of vegetables due to seasonal variation were the major constraints faced by vegetable marketers. Vegetable marketers, therefore, need support by providing affordable credit facilities and building of modern market stalls by the government. This would give them a conducive and hygienic environment. Also, vegetable marketers should form a cooperative society where they can pool resources and get financial assistance. This would lead to efficient marketing of the product.

Amaçlar: Gelişmekte olan ülkelerde, özellikle kırsal kesimdeki çiftçiler arasında artan gıda güvensizliği ve yoksulluğu, bunu engellemek için daha fazla çaba ve önlem gerektirmektedir. Kırsal çiftçilerin sebze üretimine katılması, yoksulluğun azaltılmasında, beslenme durumlarının ve geçim kaynaklarının iyileştirilmesinde önemli bir rol oynayabilir. Bu nedenle bu çalışma, sebze üretiminin kırsal çiftçilerin geliri ve hanelerin geçim kaynakları üzerindeki etkisini araştırmıştır. Yöntemler ve Sonuçlar: Sebze yetiştiren 400 haneden toplanan veriler, tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve çoklu regresyon kullanılarak analiz edildi. Sonuçlar, sebze yetiştiriciliğinin kadın egemen bir girişim olduğunu ortaya koydu. Ayrıca, sebze üretiminin kırsal hanelerin geliri üzerinde pozitif ve anlamlı bir etkisi olmuştur. Çiftçilerin gelirini etkileyen diğer faktörler hane büyüklüğü, krediye erişim ve çiftlik büyüklüğü idi. Ayrıca sebze üretimi, istihdam, gelir, temel ihtiyaçlar, gıda, okul ücretlerinin ödenmesi, beslenme durumlarını ve yaşam standartlarını iyileştirerek kırsal kesimdeki hanelerin geçim kaynakları üzerinde olumlu etkiler yarattı. Zararlılar ve hastalıklar, yetersiz depolama tesisleri, hasat sonrası kayıplar, yetersiz kredi olanakları, yüksek girdi maliyetleri, yetersiz sulama bilgisi, yetersiz ulaşım ve yetersiz yayım hizmetleri, sebze üretiminde karşılaşılan en ciddi kısıtlamalardır. Sonuç: Sebze üretiminin kırsal hanelerin ekonomik durumuna, geçimine ve refahına büyük katkı sağladığı söylenebilir. Bununla birlikte, girişim bazı zorluklarla karşı karşıya kaldı. Bu nedenle, çiftçilere bankalar, devlet ve sivil toplum kuruluşları tarafından erişilebilir ve uygun fiyatlı kredi imkanları sağlanması, çiftçileri teşvik edeceği, kısıtlamaların çoğunu azaltacağı ve gelirlerini artıracağı için önemlidir. Araştırmanın Önemi ve Etkileri: Sebze üretiminin kırsal kesimde yaşayanların gelir ve geçim kaynakları üzerindeki etkilerini anlamak daha fazla katılımı artıracaktır. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmanın sonucu, politika yapıcıların yoksulluğu ve yetersiz beslenmeyi azaltmak ve kırsal kesimdeki hanelerin refahını iyileştirmek için üretime müdahale etmesine izin verecektir.

The processing of melon is a means of livelihood in Nigeria, especially among rural women. Its role cannot be overemphasised in the life of rural women who are vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. Despite the vital role of melon processing on women’s livelihoods, little has been done on its economic potential. This study, therefore, analysed the economics and drivers of profit level of melon processing among women processors in Enugu state, Nigeria. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 150 respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin, logistic and multiple regressions. The results revealed that the majority of melon processors were married, adult, well experienced and had melon processing as their major occupation. Marital status, household size, cooperative memberships, income from melon processing and price of processed melon were the positive factors influencing melon processing while educational qualification negatively influenced it. Women melon processors had a net profit of N18,163.72 (US $47.68) per 50kg melon processed, return on capital invested of 0.39 and an operating ratio of 0.69. Thus, melon processing among the women was a profitable enterprise. The profitability of melon processing was influenced positively by market access, major occupation, price of processed melon and marital status but negatively influenced by the cost of processing and transportation cost. The study recommends government intervention by providing conducive and accessible markets, subsidising shelling machines and transportation cost to reduce the cost of processing which will, in turn, enhance the profitability of melon processing.

Processing of melon plays a significant role in the livelihood of rural women as it serves as their major occupation. Despite its significant role, the women processors were faced with some challenges. This study, therefore, identified the challenges faced by women in melon processing in Enugu-Ezike Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 80 respondents using a structured questionnaire coupled with an interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the majority of the women processors were advanced in age, well experienced, do not belong to a cooperative society, and relied strictly on processing melon as their source of livelihood. They had an average income of N286,400 (USD 751.71) per annum. Low capital, poor credit facilities, high transportation cost, price fluctuation, rapid deterioration, low supply of melon, poor storage facilities, high cost of processing machine, and breakage of seed were the identified constraints facing them. The study recommended that the women processors should form a cooperative society which will help in financing and easy marketing of their products. Also, the government should provide financial assistance, good storage facilities, and subsidized melon processing machine to increase efficiency.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the cost and returns on the use of traditional and modern methods of honey production and barriers faced by farmers. Material and Methods: Primary data was collected from 100 beekeepers using both purposive and random selection techniques. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and cost and return analysis. Results: The modern methods of apiculture had a higher honey yield (105.4 litres) than the traditional method (52.3 litres). Also, modern methods had a higher gross margin (₦123,434.54) and benefit-cost ratio (2.99) than traditional methods, with a gross margin of ₦73,055.46 and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.99. The major constraints faced in apiculture include pests, hive theft and vandalism, changing climatic conditions, lack of equipment, and lack of capital. Conclusion: The modern method of beekeeping was more profitable and the best technique to use in honey production. This study recommends sensitization and training on modern apiculture, the provision of modern equipment, and credit facilities to beekeepers to enable them to adopt the modern method.