Effects of Road Transport Infrastructure on Agriculture Output in Nigeria 1986-2016
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output
- To ascertain the level of road infrastructure in the study area
- Determine farmers’ agricultural productivity level in relation to transportation of produce
- Identify different modes of transportation of agricultural produce in the study area
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Road conditions are an important factor in determining transport costs and prices. Hine and Ellis (2001) in comparing transport price to road roughness in Zambia, illustrated that transport price was twice as high on a poor-quality earth road in comparison to transport price on a good-quality gravel road. A survey conducted in Tanzania found that, over a 50 km section of road, an increase in roughness of 50% would increase truck charges by 16% and increase pickup (light duty truck) charges by about twice as much (Ninnin, 1997 as cited in Hine & Ellis, 2001). The situation becomes worse during the wet season. In 95 Madagascar for example, the passenger fare for taxis, commonly known as “taxisbrousses”, is 70% higher on poor-quality roads during the wet season than during the dry season (Ninnin, 1997 as cited in Hine & Ellis, 2001). Several studies suggest that one of the significant constraints for agricultural development in rural areas is the poor condition of rural infrastructure. A study conducted in the Mhlonto local municipality in South Africa by Chakwizira et al. (2010) point out that one of the key constraints to sustainable agricultural and rural development is the poor state of the basic rural infrastructures, including transport and irrigation infrastructure. The poor road condition also affects the transport price of agricultural products. Ikejiofor and Ali (2014) conducted a study in Nigeria and concluded that improved road condition is one of the catalysts for better marketing of agricultural products. They pointed out that improved road condition allow for better access to a wider market and reduce losses and delays in moving the farm produce. If the agricultural produce reaches the market in time, in good quality and at low transport price, the situation will attract more money for the producers (Ikejiofor & Ali, 2014). Oyatoye (1994) as cited in Kassali et al. (2012) found that, in Nigeria, an improvement in the quality of the roads allows farmers to realise lower marketing costs and receive a better price for their agricultural produce.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output in Nigeria 1986-2016
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output in Nigeria 1986-2016. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output in Nigeria 1986-2016
Summary
This study was on effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output in Nigeria 1986-2016. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the effects of road transport infrastructure on agriculture output, to ascertain the level of road infrastructure in the study area, determine farmers’ agricultural productivity level in relation to transportation of produce, identify different modes of transportation of agricultural produce in the study area. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 residents in some selected villages in Gbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made farmers, elderly men, elderly women and youths were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
From the study, it was revealed that road transport has a significant impact on distribution of agricultural produce in the study area. It can therefore be concluded that road transport should be improved upon so as to improve agricultural production generally in the study area. This will in turn generate more income and improve the standard of living of the farmers as well as the inhabitants of the communities under study
Recommendation
The following recommendations are hereby made:
- Due to the important role of transportation in marketing of agricultural products, the federal, state and local governments should provide adequate transportation system which will help in conveying the farm products from their place of production to the place of consumption.
- The federal government should take care of all transportation facilities in the country since they have more resources at their disposal to maintain them.
- There should be general improvement in the transportation system, which will encourage farmers to work hard in increasing production.
- The cost associated with transportation should be minimized which will help to reduce the rising cost of farm products in the market.
- Finally the farmers in a particular locality who produce possibly one type of product in large quantity are encouraged to group themselves into cooperative societies in order to boost their market.
REFERENCES
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- Ajiboye, A.O (1994), Rural Accessibility and Transportation Problems. A case study of Ijebu North Local Governemnt Area,Ogun State. Unpublished PGD in Transport Thesis, Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye.
- Ajiboye, A.O and Afolayan, O (2009) The Impact of transportation on agricultural production in a developing country: a case of kolanut production in Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development 2(2): 49-57.
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- Ogunsanya, A.A (1981) “Road Development of Rural AREAS of Kwara State: A Constraint to Human Resources Mobilisation.” Proceeding from NASA National Workshop on Mobilisation of Human Resources.
