Profitability Analysis of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Marketing in Gombe and Bauchi States, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the profitability of wholesale and retail watermelon marketers in Gombe and Bauchi States, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: to assess costs and returns of wholesale and retail watermelon marketers and describe the constraints associated to watermelon marketing in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the study and a total of 300 watermelon marketers were randomly selected from 18 markets; 165 marketers were selected from Gombe State and 135 from Bauchi State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and then subjected to descriptive statistics and farm budgeting model for analysis. The results revealed that watermelon marketing was a profitable venture in both wholesale and retail categories in all seasons with wholesalers receiving the higher net income and return per capital invested of N 1417.17 and 0.14 in surplus period respectively with the higher total revenue of N 17745.10 in lean period. Poor marketing arrangement and inadequate information, pilfering and theft as well as Lack of uniform weight of measure were important constraints to watermelon marketing in the study area. The study therefore, recommends that Government and other stakeholders to provide adequate security, storage or processing facilities and as well as organised public research on marketing to enhance the use of new innovation in fruits marketing in the study area