Analysis of the Potentials of Okra Production and Marketing in Aba Agricultural Zone, Abia State, Nigeria

An underutilized crop such as okra has great potentials for enhancing livelihoods in urban and rural areas thereby, enforcing food security. As a result, this study examined the profitability of okra production and marketing in Aba Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria. The study employed a multi-stage sampling approach to select 120 okra farmers. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools, budgetary technique analysis, multiple regression and 5-point rating scale were employed in the data analysis. The results suggests that the average age of the farmers was 32 years, 66 were females and majority (53.33%) were married. Meanwhile, only 9.17% had no formal education with mean household size of 6, an average experience of 12 years and had extension contacts. The result on the perceived potentials of okra production showed that the farmers were in agreement that okra production demands low capital, administrative skills, quick cash return and frequent harvest with more than 3.0 mean scores respectively. The result also showed that okra marketing was profitable by returning N2.83 for every N1.00 spent. Regression results of factors affecting profitability okra marketing showed that education, household size, extension contact and farm size were all positive and significant at10%, 1%, 10% and 5% respectively while gender was negative but significant at the 5% level. The production function result showed that increasing the farm size (10%), inputs such as herbicides (1%) while reducing the quantity of seeds planted affected the enterprise. Some of the problems encountered by the farmers include high cost of agro-inputs, insufficient capital, lack of processing technologies/facilities and high perishability of the product. This study therefore recommends policies aimed at the provision of appropriate preservation technologies at subsidized levels and efficient marketing channels to reduce wastage. More so, adding value to the commodity will make it competitive with the staples in the market thereby increasing profitability and efficiency.