Transportation Factors in the Distribution of Agricultural Produce to Urban Center in Nigeria

Abstract

This research analyzed the transportation factors in the distribution of agricultural produce in ljebu north local government area of Ogun State. A total of 100 questionnaires were randomly and purposively distributed to transporters in Ijebu North local government Area, while 95 were collected and analyzed. The field survey revealed that 94 of the respondents representing 98.9% are male, 1 of the respondents representing 1.1% is female. Estimated income of transport operators from field survey revealed that 16 of the respondent representing 16.8% earned below N5, 000, 11 of the respondent representing 11.6% earned between N5, 001 and N10,000, 35 of the respondent representing 36.8% earned between N10,001 and N20,000. 25(26.3%) earn between N20,001 and N30,000, 8(8.4%) earn above N30,000.Observation from the field survey also shown that 5(5.3%) transporter revealed that they operate with buses, 18(18.9%) transporters revealed that they operate with station wagon, 39(41.1%) transporters revealed that they operate with pick-up van, 20(21.1%) transporters revealed that they operate with saloon car while 13.7% transporters revealed that they operate with other means. Finding shows that combination of food crops, cash crops, tubers, poultry, fruits, vegetables and poultry product dominate Ijebu North Local Government Area in which farmers combined cultivation of those crops. Roads in the study area are in a deplorable condition, the type of vehicle used by farmers and traders depend on the volume of the agricultural produce.