Abstract

Simon Ibana, Ben Odoemena, J. O. Akintola , Damian Ihedioha and Okoli Paul

An investigation into the seed yam supply chain was carried out to identify the components of commercial seed yam supply systems, which affect the supply of clean seed yams by smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Up to 108 respondents were used to generate data for the analysis. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to capture the mean ratings across the supply chain, while the Z – statistic was used to test for factors that influence seed yam traders’ marketing strategies and extent of performance of marketing functions in the delivery of clean seed yams to farmers. The results of the analysis identified seed yam producers, collector agents (sometimes called yam traders or yam dealers), wholesalers and retailers as the main actors in seed yam supply within and outside the lowland belt of River Niger in Nigeria. The collector agents act as cartel and occupy a central position in the entire supply chain process. They act as intermediaries between farmers and wholesalers especially where farmer groups do not exist and provide a major distribution network or market linkage for the marketing of the seed yams. The study identified pests attack and disease infestation (24.0%), physical injury on the seed yams (65.1%), poor knowledge of seed multiplication techniques (39.4%) short shelf life of the tubers (33.2%), activities of cartels, deplorable road and poor proximity to market (45.5%) as the factors that affect consumer preference and efficient delivery network in the seed yam supply chain. The research also identified poor business practices including sharp practices, lack of trust and confidence amongst major actors (wholesalers and retailers), insufficient working capital (76.3%), amongst others as the factors militating against efficient seed yam supply chain.