ABSTRACT
This study was embarked upon for the purposes of finding out constraints to the distribution of agricultural products by local producers in Taraba State, and to identify strategies for improving the distribution of agricultural products. In carrying out the study, five research questions were developed and five null hypotheses were formulated. The questionnaire was the only instrument used for data collection. Local producers of tea, tomatoes and dairy products in the Central Zone of Taraba State were identified as the population for the study. Two-hundred and thirty farmers of tea, tomatoes and dairy products are drawn from the five local government areas of the Zone by means of simple randomization, made up the sample for this study. The data collected were analyzed using mean to answer research questions, standard deviation to determine the closeness or otherwise of the responses from the mean, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics to test the null hypotheses. The results of the data collected and analyzed showed that: (1) That the present means of transportation of products such as bicycles, motorcycles, donkeys, etc. encourage incidence of damage/theft of products. (2) that poor conditions of roads during rainy season limit distribution of agricultural products through the season. (3) absence of warehouse/storage facilities prevents efficient distribution of agricultural products. (4) different agricultural products require different storage facilities. (5) that use of middlemen compound distribution of agricultural products by causing delay and rise in prices of products. (6)that excessive excise duties on agricultural products by government hampers distribution of products. (7) that the scrapping of some agricultural organizations by the government limits distribution of products. (8) that excisefree should be granted for distribution of some agricultural products by the government. (9) government should encourage the creation of farmers’ Associations for producers of different types of products. Based on the findings of this study, a conclusion was drawn that if the constraints considered by local farmers and strategies for improving distribution utilized; distribution of agricultural products will greatly be efficient. Among the recommendations that were adduced include: (1) need for infrastructural development advocacy and revival of rail system of transportation. (2) communities should embark on communal roadmaintenance, at least twice during rainy season. (3) government should minimize the number and functions of revenue deriving agencies on distribution of some agricultural products. (4) government should construct public warehouses in every local government head-quarters so as to help store goods after harvest while waiting for distribution.
