Observation

Candidates’ responses to Question 6 was poor. Many candidates were unable to explain marketing, retailer and wholesaler concisely as well as state the problems associated with marketing agricultural produce in West Africa.

The expected answers include:

1. Explanation of terms used in agricultural economics
   1. Marketing

      Marketing refers to all economic activities involved in the transfer of produce from the farm gate to the final consumers.

   2. Retailer

      A retailer is an individual or agency which sells farm produce to the consumers in units or small quantities as at when needed.

   3. Wholesaler

      A wholesaler is an intermediary between the producer and the retailer who sells produce in bulk.




2. Problems of agricultural marketing in West Africa
   • The nature of the produce/perishability of farm produce/bulkiness
   • Small scale production
   • Inadequate transport facilities
   • Inefficient handling/packaging
   • Inadequate processing facilities
   • Inadequate storage and warehousing facilities
   • Inadequate standardization of weights and measures
   • Problem of adulteration
   • Price instability
   • Poor marketing skills/system
   • Inadequate research on marketing
   • Inadequate financing
   • Activities of middlemen




3. Factors that affect the price of rice
   • Number of producers/quantity supplied
   • Change in cost of production
   • Availability of substitutes for rice
   • Weather condition
   • Technology employed in production
   • Demand for rice




4. Ways by which agricultural information are disseminated to farmers in West Africa
   - Agricultural shows/exhibitions
   - Demonstrations
   - Farm visits
   - Home visits
   - Special projects
   - Discussions
   - Radio
   - Television
   - Newspapers
   - Posters
   - Cinema
   - Symposia
   - Farmers’ cooperative societies
   - Workshops
   - Internet/e-mail/text messages
   - Conferences
   - Magazine
   - Telephone calls
   - Farm supervision
   - Leaflets and bulletin
   - Lectures
   - Meetings
   - Town criers
   - Tours and field trips