Assessing the Impact of Middlemen on Ginger Marketing and Price Dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria

John Isaac

doi:10.56201/ijmcs.v10.no4.2026.pg31.39

📄 Download Paper

Assessing the Impact of Middlemen on Ginger Marketing and Price Dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria

John Isaac

Abstract

The study examined the impact of middlemen on ginger marketing and price dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where the ginger value chain constitutes a vital segment of the agricultural sector, contributing to rural livelihoods, job creation, and export revenue. It was guided by a single objective centred on determining how middlemen affect ginger marketing and pricing structures, supported by one research question and a corresponding hypothesis. A descriptive survey research design was employed, drawing from a population of 8,169, from which a sample of 397 respondents comprising middlemen and ginger farmers was selected. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using mean and standard deviation to address the research question, while a one-sample t-test was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that middlemen significantly shape ginger pricing by controlling farm-gate prices and exploiting market inefficiencies, thereby weakening farmers’ bargaining power. Although they provide essential logistical services, their activities contribute to price instability and unequal distribution of profits. Consequently, the study concluded that middlemen play a pivotal role in determining price dynamics within the ginger market, limiting farmers’ income potential and reinforcing structural imbalances. Based on these conclusions, the study recommended the establishment of regulated market information systems and digital pricing platforms to enhance transparency and empower farmers with real-time market data. It also advocated for the formation of farmer cooperatives or marketing associations to facilitate collective bargaining, improve direct market access, and reduce dependence on intermediaries, thereby promoting price stability and equitable profit sharing. Key Words: Middlemen, Ginger Marketing, Price Dynamics, Kaduna State

Keywords

MiddlemenGinger MarketingPrice DynamicsKaduna State

References

Abdullahi, S. A. (2020). Ginger production and export performance in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(6), 789–798. Abu, G. A. (2019). Agricultural marketing and price transmission in Nigeria. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 4(54), 321–330. Adekanye, T. O. (1988). Readings in agricultural marketing. Longman Nigeria. Afolabi, J. A. (2020). Market structure and agricultural pricing behaviour in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 10(2), 45–58. Aker, J. C. (2020). Information asymmetry and price dispersion in agricultural markets. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 102(3), 871–889. Barrett, C. B. (2008). Smallholder market participation: Concepts and evidence. Food Policy, 33(4), 299–317. Barrett, C. B. (2021). Agricultural value chains and food security in developing countries. Food Policy, 10(6), 77-89 Bellemare, M. F. (2020). Contract farming and welfare outcomes: Evidence from developing countries. World Development, 3(7), 122-134 Coase, R. H. (1937). The nature of the firm. Economica, 4(16), 386–405. Dillon, B. (2019). Market access and farmer bargaining power in developing countries. World Development, 120(3), 77–94. Fafchamps, M. (2004). Market institutions in sub-Saharan Africa: Theory and evidence. MIT Press. Fafchamps, M. (2019). Market institutions in sub-Saharan Africa: Theory and evidence. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 11(4), 1–20. Gereffi, G. (2019). Global value chains, development, and emerging economies. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 12(2), 243–255. Ibrahim, U. M. (2021). Market intermediaries and agricultural commodity distribution in Kaduna State. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 4(2), 112–124. Kotler, P. (2017). Marketing management (15th ed.). Pearson Education. Liverpool-Tasie, L. S. O. (2021). Farmer access to markets and the role of intermediaries in Africa. Food Policy, 8(2), 91-103. Minten, B. (2018). Transforming agri-food systems in developing countries. Agricultural Economics, 49(1), 1–12. Okeke, C. C. (2019). Agricultural marketing systems and rural development in Nigeria. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 11(4), 89–97. Olayemi, F. F. (2021). Value chain inefficiencies and agricultural productivity in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 11(2), 67–82. Olukosi, J. O. (2005). Agricultural marketing: Principles and applications. Living Books Series. Onyemauwa, C. S. (2016). Agricultural value chain development and rural poverty reduction in Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 1(3), 45–52. Sarkar, A. (2022). Global trade dynamics of spices and their economic implications. Journal of International Agricultural Trade and Development, 18(1), 45–62. Shepherd, A. W. (2007). Approaches to linking producers to markets. Food and Agriculture Organization. Shepherd, A. W. (2016). Agricultural marketing and rural development. FAO Publishing. Swinnen, J. (2020). The political economy of agricultural and food policies. Global Food Security, 26 (7), 100-113. Tomek, W. G., & Robinson, K. L. (2003). Agricultural product prices (4th ed.). Cornell University Press. Williamson, O. E. (2018). Transaction cost economics: The governance of contractual relations. Journal of Law and Economics, 61(2), 233–261. Yakubu, M. T. (2022). Agro-ecological advantages and crop specialisation in northern Nigeria. Savanna Journal of Agriculture, 17(1), 23–34.

Assessing the Impact of Middlemen on Ginger Marketing and Price Dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES