@article{Aidoo:197964,
      recid = {197964},
      author = {Aidoo, Robert and Nimoh, Fred and Andivi Bakang,  John-Eudis and Ohene-Yankyera, Kwasi and Cudjoe Fialor,  Simon and Mensah, James Osei and Abaidoo, Robert Clement},
      title = {Estimation of Margins and Efficiency in the Ghanaian Yam  Marketing Chain},
      journal = {Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development},
      address = {2012-06},
      number = {393-2016-24002},
      series = {18-74-2(2)2014-AJARD-226-234},
      pages = {10},
      year = {2012},
      abstract = {The main objective of the paper was to examine the costs,  returns and efficiency levels obtained by key players in  the Ghanaian yam marketing chain. A total of 320  players/actors (farmers, wholesalers, retailers and  cross-border traders) in the Ghanaian yam industry were  selected from four districts (Techiman, Atebubu,  Ejura-Sekyedumasi and Nkwanta) through a multi-stage  sampling approach for the study. In addition to descriptive  statistics, gross margin, net margin and marketing  efficiency analyses were performed using the field data.  There was a long chain of greater than three channels  through which yams moved from the producer to the final  consumer. Yam marketing was found to be a profitable  venture for all the key players in the yam marketing chain.  Net marketing margin of about GH¢15.52 (US$9.13) was  obtained when the farmer himself sold 100tubers of yams in  the market rather than at the farm gate. The net marketing  margin obtained by wholesalers was estimated at GH¢27.39  per 100tubers of yam sold, which was equivalent to about  61% of the gross margin obtained. Net marketing margin for  retailers was estimated at GH¢15.37, representing 61% of  the gross margin obtained. A net marketing margin of  GH¢33.91 was obtained for every 100tubers of yam  transported across Ghana’s borders by cross-border traders.  Generally, the study found out that net marketing margin  was highest for cross-border yam traders, followed by  wholesalers. Yam marketing activities among retailers,  wholesalers and cross-border traders were found to be  highly efficient with efficiency ratios in excess of 100%.  However, yam marketing among producer-sellers was found to  be inefficient with efficiency ratio of about 86%.The study  recommended policies and strategies to be adopted by  central and local government authorities to address key  constraints such as poor road network, limited financial  resources, poor storage facilities and high cost of  transportation that serve as impediments to the efficiency  of the yam marketing system in Ghana.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/197964},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.197964},
}