ANALYSIS OF MAIZE MARKET INTEGRATION IN ALKALERI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Price integration is a vital aspect in the analysis of the functioning of commodity market as it fits into a wider understanding of the relation between market structure, market conduct and performance. This study was conducted in Alkaleri Local Government Area Bauchi state, Nigeria to determine the level of maize market integration at retails level. Three markets (Alkaleri, Digare and Gaji) were purposively selected. Thirty marketers were randomly chosen making a total of ninety (90) respondents. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test. The result depicts that most (88.7%) of the respondents obtained their finance from non-formal means. About 88.89% get their information on maize price from fellow traders and 36.67%, 48.3% and 50% sell their product to retailers, market agents and consumers respectively. The major constraints faced included high cost of transportation (68.3%) as a result of poor feeder roads, seasonality in production (66.7%) and lack of storage facilities (35%). The result also showed a high level of market integration. It is recommended that maize marketers in the study area be encourage to patronize the formal source of credit to increase their purchasing power. They should also form a cooperative body that will ensure that storage facilities are available. Lastly, government should provide good feeder roads linking production and consumption area.