RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX POLICIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR FIRMS IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR: LEPU MEDICAL IN PERSPECTIVE

This study analyzed the market structure of agrochemicals in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with emphasis on the socio-economic characteristics of agrochemical marketers and the degree of market concentration. A stratified sampling technique was employed to collect data from 165 marketers across six Local Government Areas using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the Gini coefficient were used for analysis. The results on socio-economic characteristics showed that the agrochemical market is largely dominated by married males within the productive age bracket, most of whom have a considerable educational background but low levels of cooperative participation. Analysis of market concentration revealed a Gini coefficient of 0.58, signifying a high level of inequality in sales distribution and suggesting a monopolistic market structure dominated by a few marketers. Based on these findings, the study recommends the establishment of market information centers to facilitate effective communication and information flow among agrochemical marketers. It further advocates the promotion of cooperative associations to enhance market efficiency, reduce inequality in sales distribution, and ensure more equitable profit-sharing within the agrochemical marketing system