(a) Explain agricultural marketing and four channels of marketing farm produce. (b) State four problems associated With marketing of farm produce by small-scale farmers.
Explanation
(a)(i) Agricultural marketing involves ail the activities re-quired to move farm produce from the producers (farmers) to the final consumers.
(ii) Channels of marketing farm produce are:
(1) Local markets where sellers and buyers are in close contact.
(2) Cooperative Societies which facilitate the flow of bulk sales and enhance the bargaining power of farmers.
(3) Commissioned agents who buy directly from the farmers in bulk and sell to marketing boards and exporters.
(4) Exporters who sell the commodities to overseas buyers (consumers).
(b) Four problems associated with marketing of farm produce by small scale farmers are:
(i) Inadequate stor-age facilities
(ii) Produce are perishable.
(iii) Transportation is grossly inadequate.
(iv) Poor prices of products.