EFFECT OF RURAL ROADS AND MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE ON PROFITABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALLHOLDER ONION FARMERS IN WAMAKKO AND WURNO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, SOKOTO STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study determines the effect of rural roads and marketing infrastructure on profitability and productivity of small holder onion farmers in wamakko and wurno local government areas of Sokoto state. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression and TFP. The results revealed

Road transport is the most predominant mode of transportation in all over the world and this is a confirmation of the crucial role transport plays in the socio-economic development of a nation (Ajiboye, Afolayan 2009). Recent literature indicates the significant role played by rural infrastructure in improving agricultural productivity in developing economies. While the availability and quality of rural infrastructure are never substitutes to efficient macroeconomic and agriculture-specific policies and the effective implementation of such policies, inadequate infrastructure can be a significant constraint to growth and productivity. Research shows that productivity increase in agriculture, which is an effective driver of economic growth and poverty reduction, depends on good rural infrastructure, well-functioning domestic markets, appropriate institutions, and access to appropriate technology (Andersen and Shimokawa 2007). The relatively low productivity of Philippine agriculture has tested the policymaking skills of the country’s leaders and the implementation capacity of bureaucrats who have to make good use of the billions of pesos that are annually allocated and appropriated to the agriculture sector. The inadequacy of rural infrastructure has been cited as a major reason for low agricultural productivity. But how important is rural infrastructure in raising agricultural productivity? Increasing agricultural productivity depends on good infrastructural facilities and is an instrument to improve the economy (Calderon and Serve, 2008 Egbetokun, 2009; Patra and Acharya, 2011). Adequate infrastructures can reduce the cost of production which affects productivity (Oyewole and Oloko, 2006).Infrastructures are key stimulants to agricultural development and growth (FAO, 1996). But most developing countries including Nigeria still suffer from poor rural infrastructural facilities (Olayiwola and Adeleye, 2005; Umoren et al.2009). Even though Nigeria government initiated several projects to improve the quality and Road transport is the most predominant mode of transportation in all over the world and this is a confirmation of the crucial role transport plays in the socio-economic development of a nation (Ajiboye, Afolayan 2009). Recent literature indicates the significant role played by rural infrastructure in improving agricultural productivity in developing economies. While the availability and quality of rural infrastructure are never substitutes to efficient macroeconomic and agriculture-specific policies and the effective implementation of such policies, inadequate infrastructure can be a significant constraint to growth and productivity. Research shows that productivity increase in agriculture, which is an effective driver of economic growth and poverty reduction, depends on good rural infrastructure, well-functioning domestic markets, appropriate institutions, and access to appropriate technology (Andersen and Shimokawa 2007). The relatively low productivity of Philippine agriculture has tested the policymaking skills of the country’s leaders and the implementation capacity of bureaucrats who have to make good use of the billions of pesos that are annually allocated and appropriated to the agriculture sector. The inadequacy of rural infrastructure has been cited as a major reason for low agricultural productivity. But how important is rural infrastructure in raising agricultural productivity? Increasing agricultural productivity depends on good infrastructural facilities and is an instrument to improve the economy (Calderon and Serve, 2008 Egbetokun, 2009; Patra and Acharya, 2011). Adequate infrastructures can reduce the cost of production which affects productivity (Oyewole and Oloko, 2006).Infrastructures are key stimulants to agricultural development and growth (FAO, 1996). But most developing countries including Nigeria still suffer from poor rural infrastructural facilities (Olayiwola and Adeleye, 2005; Umoren et al.2009). Even though Nigeria government initiated several projects to improve the quality and