This study analyzed two agricultural markets in South West Nigeria to assess their measuring methods for farm produce. Weights of tomatoes, peppers, and chili peppers were measured from 20 randomly selected vendors across the two markets. Descriptive statistics showed variations in minimum and maximum quantities sold at the same price between markets. Specifically, one market had higher quantities for tomatoes and peppers while the other had more for chili peppers. The distributions of quantities were also skewed, potentially benefiting either buyers or sellers depending on the skewness. The study concluded current crude measuring methods result in imbalances and suggested encouraging graded measuring devices for more fairness.

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An Appraisal of Two Agricultural Markets in
South West Nigeria
Introduction
Agriculture plays an indispensable role in the survival of human existence
and wellbeing. The process of land preparation through planting to
harvesting is enormous task, yet the purpose is defeated until the produce
get to the consumers at the right time it is demanded for. Through different
types of market, agricultural products are being channelled through to the
consumers. In Nigeria, majority of consumers patronizes retail
agricultural type of markets where most farm produce are not being sold
based on graded measuring methods.
Materials and Methods
Two markets (Bodija and Oje Markets) were randomly selected from two
Local Government Areas (LGAs) within Ibadan metropolis. A prior
awareness was created across 10 randomly selected marketers from each
market after which the assessment was carried out. The displayed
products of some marketers not included in the study were also priced to
ascertain the authenticity of the assigned price to the quantity under
investigation. The weights of selected agricultural produce (tomatoes (T),
scotch bonnet pepper (SB), bell pepper (BP) and bird-eye chili pepper
(CP)), 5 replicates from each marketer were determined using a domestic
weigh-scale [CAMRY EMPERORS; 20kg x 50g (44 lb x 2 oz) resolution],
having subtracted the weight of the plastic container (5275.68cc) in which
the products were packed. The measured weights were recorded and
subjected to statistical analyses using Minitab, Mtb EXE (version 14.1.0.0) to
present the results in descriptive statistics.
Fig. 1: Modes of Presentation of Farm Produce by the Marketers
Fig. 2: Whitefly attached to a 2.5µm platinum wire using water-based silver glue.
Results and Discussion
The analysed results in descriptive statistics are as presented in graphs
for clarity in Figures 3 and 4.
Conclusion
The role of Agricultural retail markets in getting agro-produce to
consumers at all levels in the region cannot be underestimated, however,
the inference from this study presented the crude measuring methods
being employed as imbalance methods across all selected farm produce.
In order to avoid these long time embraced errors and encourage fairness
in transactions, it is suggested that the utilisation of gradable measuring
device be encouraged.
Fig. 3: Minimum and Maximum Variation in Quantities across the two
Markets (BM and OM)
Acknowlegdement
The contribution of the following to the success of this study are highly
acknowledged, special thanks to them all.
• The marketers involved in data collection
1,2,3 Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation Ibadan, Nigeria
Afolabi Bukola O.1, Adegboye Omowumi 2, and Jokanola O. Olufemi 3
Variations in Quantity of Sorted Same Price Farm Produce
The minimum and maximum values for BP are the same in both markets,
while others are varied in their respective values. The minimum value of T in
OM is of 0.01 difference to the maximum value of same in BM. Maximum
values across the markets showed that OM has higher quantities in T and SB,
while BM has higher quantities only in CP (Fig. 3).
Objectives
Most marketers of agricultural produce in south west Nigeria are in this
category of not using graded measuring methods. Thus, the objectives of
this study are to determine the effect of non-graded measuring methods on
quantity of sorted same price produce and how this affects the sellers and
the buyers.
Fig. 4: Skewness Distribution Plots for the two Markets (BM and OM)
Possible Effects on Sellers and Buyers
As a result of non-normality in the distributions in the two markets, the
skewness values plot for the selected farm produce is shown in Figure 4. The
negatively skewed values are to the advantages of the buyers, while the
positively skewed ones are to the sellers advantage (Fig. 4).