ABSTRACT

This study assessed the extension service delivery on the value chain of plants in product in Ekiti State, Nigeria. It specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of plantain farmers, marketers and consumers in the study area, the factors that determine the price of plantain in the study area, examined the factors that boost the demand for plantain product, analyze how the packaging of plantain product affects the marketing of its products and the constraints faced by the plantain farmers. Primary data for this study were collected through the use of a well structured questionnaire and interview process. A simple random sampling was used to select 70 respondents which include 30 producers (farmers), 20 marketers of plantain product and 20 consumers of plantain products. Data for the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics which includes cross tabulations, frequency tables, averages, percentages, mean and correlations. The results of analysis of socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area revealed that the mean age of the consumers of plantain product was 25.75; it was revealed that 75% of the respondents are single. Married women dominated plantain marketing with 95% of the respondents being female while only 5% of the respondents were male. Majority of the respondents 65% used open space as their selling points. In addition, the mean age of plantain farmers in the study area was 49.73; there is no adequate extension contact which brings about little or no knowledge about farm operations. This study also reveals that there are some certain problems faced by the farmers on the farm which in turn results to low productivity. The study therefore recommends that there should be effective extension workers supervision so that farmers can acquire adequate knowledge on the production of plantain through adequate training or organization of agricultural extension

TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page

Declaration
Certification
Acknowledgement
Dedication

Table of content
List of table
Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background to the stndy

1.1 Statement of the problem
1.2 Objectives of the study
1.3 Research hypothesis
1 . 4 Justification of the study

CHAPTER TWO

 2.1 Extension and agricnltural development in Nigeria
2.2 Importance of plantain in Nigeria
2.3 Distribution and marketing of plantain in Nigeria
2.4 Value addition along plantain value chain 12
2.5 Value chain 13
2.5.1 Producers 14
2.5.2 Distributors 14
2.5.3 Retailers 15
2.5.4 Consumers 15

2.6 Cultural practices of plantain 16
2.7 Various plantain products in Africa 16

2.7.1 Fried plantain
2.7.2 Plantain pastry

2.7.3 Roasted plantain
2.7.4 Plantain chips

CHAPTER THREE

Sampling techniques and sample size
Method of data collection
Method of data analysis
Descriptive statistics
Correlation and t-test analysis
Measurement of variables
Farmers
Marketers
Consumers
Summary

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and discussion .
4.1 Consumers

4.2 Marketers

4.3 Farmers

4.4 Testing of hypothesis

CHAPTER FIVE
Summary and Conclusion

References
Appendix 51

 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Distribution of respondent according to socio-economic characteristics of consumers

Table 2: Distribution of respondents according to the packaging of plantain product

Table 3: Distribution of respondents according to factors that determine consumption of plantain

Table 4: Distribution of respondent according to socio economic characteristics of marketers 29

Table 5: Distribution of respondents according to socio-economics characteristics of marketers

Table 6: Response on where they usually get plantain from

Table 7: Distribution of respondents according to the type of product they sell

Table 8: Distribution of respondents on the standard they use for grading
Table 9: Distribution o f respondent according to the method use for ripening

Table 10: Distribution of respondent according to socio economic characteristics of farmers

 Table 12: Distribution of respondents according to socio-economic characteristics of farmers

Table 13: Distribution of respondents on time of extension contact

Table 14: Distribution of respondents based on the effectiveness of extension contact

Table 15: Distribution of respondent bases on accessibility to government loan Table 16: Distribution of respondents based on the constraints in plantain production

Table 17: Correlation analysis