ANALYSIS OF VALUE CHAIN ON IRRIGATED TOMATO IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

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Date
2016-02
Authors
ADAMU, Ibrahim Kabuga
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Abstract
This study assesses the value chain of irrigated tomato in Kano State with a view to identifying areas of the chain that may need policy interventions. The specific objectives of the study are the requirements for irrigated tomato production in the study area; mapping the value chain in order to identify the activities of the key actors and their relationships; technical capacities of the actors in the value chain and its economic performance with a view to identify strong and weak aspect of the chain and the appropriate policy intervention needs they require. Field surveys, focus group discussions and questionnaire were used to gather the required data which were subjected to descriptive and SWOT analyses. The findings indicate that the area is dominated by small scale tomato farms most of which were allocated to their respective operators by the state. The actors identified and indicated on the value chain are extension workers, agro-chemical dealers, farmers, labourers, transporters, commission agents, middlemen, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. In respect of the strong aspects of the value chain, the study reveals that the area possesses a natural environment that is favourable for irrigated tomato production. There is in existence in the study area abundant skilled labour that works in a harmonious relationship with the farmers in all aspects of tomato production and distribution. The irrigation infrastructure runs efficiently, making water available as and when required, though with some hitches once in a while. Extension services are adequately provided for the farmers by agencies such as the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA). There was a sizeable employment generated (142,541) in all aspects of irrigated tomato production across the State at the time of the study. The weak aspects that were identified with the value chain of irrigated tomato in the study area include the dominance of manual labour in all areas of tomato production and distribution, except land clearing, a phenomenon that slows down the processes. There are no storage facilities and processing industries in the study area, a situation that leads to a severe glut of tomato at the peak of the season which leads to a drastic fall in the price of the commodity. Most parts of the tomato producing areas are poorly served with regular electricity supply and circulation roads. The farmers have no access to seeds of improved tomato species. They are forced, therefore, to continue using the UC82B variety seeds with low yield and short shelf life. Packaging of tomato is done in baskets for transportation over long distances resulting in a lot of damages and losses. Transportation costs are high and movement of vehicles from one place to another is slow as a result of bad roads. The actors in the irrigated tomato value chain examined lack access to cheap credit facilities and are left to rely solely on self-financing which is a major constraint to growing their business. The findings indicated that the farms are located at the Watari irrigation scheme and Kadawa irrigation scheme areas in the state. More than 50% of the tomato produced in the state are lost to post harvest spoilage annually. The study also revealed that tomato marketers earn more profits than tomato farmers in the study area. It is recommended that there should be improved infrastructure such as water, electricity, better preservation methods, storage facilities and processing industries and good road network in the state and in the country at large. It was also recommended that the Dangote tomato industry under construction at Kadawa area should be hasten and completed. More of such companies should be established in the tomato producing areas in the state. As rainy season begins and drop on the flowering of irrigated tomato, the crop dries up. This area should be further investigated and further studies carried out on it so as to get all year round production.
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A Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) Degree in Rural Development Department of Geography Faculty of Science Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Keywords
ANALYSIS,, VALUE CHAIN,, IRRIGATED TOMATO,, KANO STATE,, NIGERIA
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