EVALUATING INTER-MARKET PRICE VARIATION AND INCOME DETERMINANTS IN THE WATERMELON VALUE CHAIN OF ANAMBRA STATE

The study examined the inter-market price spread and determinants of net farm income in watermelon marketing in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, it ascertained inter and intra market price spread and influence of respondents’ socio-economic characteristics on net marketing returns. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 marketers (120 wholesalers and 120 retailers) and data collection was only on primary source using structured questionnaire and were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques. From the result, the peak demand season for watermelon is from October to January while the lean demand season is between June and August. peak marketing margin realised by wholesalers was high in Oye-Nimo (N130.00) and the highest retail mean marketing margin of (N220.00) was recorded in Oye-Nimo The. The lean mean marketing realised by the wholesalers and retailers were highest in Oye-Achalla (N170.00) and Afor-Ogidi market (N170.00). Socioeconomic factors of education, marketing cost and product price significantly determined net marketing income realized by watermelon marketers at wholesale level. The coefficient of product price was positive and had a significant effect on the net marketing income at 5% probability level, an indication that the higher the price of watermelon, the higher the net returns The significant determinants of net marketing income realized by watermelon marketers at retail level were age, household size and marketing cost. There is a need for the government to improve and modernize existing market infrastructures so as to enhance marketing conditions and accommodate new entrances into the business. The study established that watermelon marketing is a profitable enterprises and a good source of livelihood and poverty alleviation.