MARKETING ANALYSIS OF LEGUMES BY-PRODUCTS USED AS LIVESTOCK FEED IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study focused on the profitability analysis of marketing of legumes by-products used as livestock feed in Kano State. Multistage sampling technique was used for the study and data was collected using structured questionnaire supplemented with key informant interview. A total of one hundred and seventy eight (178) legumes by-product marketers were sampled. The analytical tools employed included descriptive statistics, net marketing margin analysis and marketing efficiency. The result of the socio economic characteristics showed that 12% of the legumes by-products marketers were adult belonging to the age group of 43-52 years, 51% of them had household size of 1-6 members, 43.8% of the legumes by-products marketers had 14-22 years of marketing experience. The result of the profitability analysis revealed that legumes by-products marketing was profitable as the marketing margin for Cowpea haulms and Groundnut haulms were N323.34 and N470 respectively. The total revenue realized for the marketing were N1796.67 and N2083.33 for Cowpea haulms and Groundnut haulms respectively. The result further revealed Gross Margin (GR) of 0.01 and 0.01 for Cowpea haulms and Groundnut haulms traded in the study area while return per naira invested was found to be 1.09 and 1.16 accrued from every N1.00 invested for legumes by-products marketing. The result also revealed that marketing of legumes by-products was efficient with 254.17% and 306.16% for Cowpea haulms and Groundnut haulms respectively indicating that marketing of these by-products was profitable and efficient in the study area. The study recommended that since legumes by-product marketing is a profitable enterprise more youth should be encouraged to venture into the enterprises this will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the study area.