Assessing the Impact of Middlemen on Ginger Marketing and Price Dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the impact of middlemen on ginger marketing and price dynamics in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where the ginger value chain constitutes a vital segment of the agricultural sector, contributing to rural livelihoods, job creation, and export revenue. It was guided by a single objective centred on determining how middlemen affect ginger marketing and pricing structures, supported by one research question and a corresponding hypothesis. A descriptive survey research design was employed, drawing from a population of 8,169, from which a sample of 397 respondents comprising middlemen and ginger farmers was selected. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using mean and standard deviation to address the research question, while a one-sample t-test was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that middlemen significantly shape ginger pricing by controlling farm-gate prices and exploiting market inefficiencies, thereby weakening farmers’ bargaining power. Although they provide essential logistical services, their activities contribute to price instability and unequal distribution of profits. Consequently, the study concluded that middlemen play a pivotal role in determining price dynamics within the ginger market, limiting farmers’ income potential and reinforcing structural imbalances. Based on these conclusions, the study recommended the establishment of regulated market information systems and digital pricing platforms to enhance transparency and empower farmers with real-time market data. It also advocated for the formation of farmer cooperatives or marketing associations to facilitate collective bargaining, improve direct market access, and reduce dependence on intermediaries, thereby promoting price stability and equitable profit sharing.