JOURNAL OF NIGERIA TRANSPORT HISTORY (JNTH), VOLUME 1, NO

2, 2020, ISSN: 2616-0676, (A publication of the Nigeria Transport

History Association)

THE IMPACT OF ROAD TRANSPORT ON TOMATO PRODUCTION AND

MARKETING IN NIGERIA

BY

YUSUF, IZANG ELIJAH

Department of History and International Studies,
Faculty of Arts, University of Jos,
P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State-Nigeria.
[email protected]: [email protected]
Tel: +234-8037310377; +234-7013855866

ABSTRACT

The paper examines critically the impact of transportation network on tomato production and
marketing in Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the important
contribution of road transport in the production and marketing of tomato. Previous studies on
post-harvest losses focused mainly on pests and diseases, inadequate capital, climate change,
poor storage and processing facilities etc, this study attempt to look at the poor condition of
transportation in the production and marketing of tomato. Findings of this paper show that
transportation plays a crucial role in the production and marketing of tomato in Nigeria. It
also shows that improvement in transportation network can encourage farmers and marketers
to work hard in increasing production and marketing of tomatoes, as well as reducing
spoilage and wastage, to give Nigeria a comparative advantage. Key Informant Interview
(KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were adopted as a major source of primary data,
while secondary sources of data collection and participant observation were also used. The
study concludes by way of recommendation urging the Federal, State and Local Governments
to provide adequate transportation network which will help in conveying the tomato from
their places of production to places of consumption.

KEYWORDS: Transportation, Agriculture, Tomato, Production, Marketing

INTRODUCTION

The study examines the impact of transportation network on tomato production and
marketing in Nigeria. Transportation network is an important lifeline to the economy of
Nigeria as it plays a key role in improving agricultural productivity, most especially in the
area of tomato farming. Transportation serves as a direct linkage between the producers and
the final consumer in the marketing channels. The role of transport is very crucial. It is a
phase in production process that cannot be complete until the commodity is in the hands of
the final consumers.1 Availability of transport facilities is a critical investment factor that
stimulates economic growth through increased accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness. 2

1
This is because the source of food and other economic products must be reasonably
accessible to markets and factories through the instrumentality of transportation to have
economic value. Therefore, adequate transportation network and efficient carrier services
operation are necessary recipes for efficient physical distribution of agricultural products. 3
Ajiboye and Afolayan noted that transportation enhances quality of life of the farmers,
creates market for agricultural produce, facilitates interaction among geographical and
economic regions and opened up new areas to economic focus. Improved transportation will
encourage farmers to work harder in the rural areas to increase production, add value to their
products, reduce spoilage and wastage, empower the farmers as well as having positive
impact on their productivity, income, employment and poverty reduction level in the rural
areas since it will be easier to move inputs and workers to farm as well as products to markets
and agro-allied industry.4

But reverse is the case in the Nigeria’s transport system, as it is characterise with the
presence of potholes, gallops, bumps, untied roads, bushes, mud, poor bridges, stones and
gravels. The road connecting the agricultural rural areas and the urban cities, (where tomatoes
are usually consumed) are very bad. Asgedom, et’al averred that due to unsuitable roads,
there is high loss of tomatoes during transportation which could reach up to 30% of the
produce. Transportation cost is considered to be the most important cost of production among
farmers. Due to the high cost and bad condition of roads, farmers sometimes gave their
potentially marketable tomatoes to livestock or dumped their tomatoes due to high
transportation costs given the low price of tomatoes.5 Access to transport by smallholder
farmers plays a significant role in their ability to access market. Since tomatoes are highly
perishable, there is a sense of urgency in marketing these products as quickly and efficiently
as possible in order to maintain their farm fresh value. 6 Paul et al, opined that the impacts of
road infrastructure on agricultural output and productivity are particularly important for
three reasons. First, the agricultural sector accounts for a large share of gross domestic
product (GDP). Second, poverty is concentrated in rural areas. Finally, the relatively low
levels of road infrastructure and long average travel time’s result in high transaction costs
for sales of agricultural inputs and outputs, and this limits agricultural productivity and
growth.7

It is on this note that this paper attempts a critical examination of the impact of
transportation network on tomato production and marketing in Nigeria. Thus, the paper is
divided into eight folds: abstract, introduction, conceptual clarification of some basic terms,
understanding tomato value chain and the role of transportation network, benefit of
transportation on tomato production and marketing, negative impact of transportation on
tomato production and marketing, forward looking suggestion, and conclusion.

CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION OF SOME BASIC TERMS

Transportation: Igwe et al. define transportation as the means by which movement is made
from one place to another. When you walk or travel from one place to another you use a form
of transportation. Transportation started in the past by means of human patronage; people
then walked and carried goods over long distance on their heads. Human patronage was

2
followed by the use of domestic animals such as horse, donkeys, and camels. Even dogs were
used for drawing sledge over the very cold region of the world. As a result of new discoveries
in science and technology, more efficient means and types of transportation are now in use
throughout the world.8

Ahukannah, Ndnachi and Arukwe also define transportation as an activity that

involves the movement of goods from the manufacturer to the consumer. It is inconceivable
what the state of affairs would be without transportation. Farmers could not be able to
market their products; stores would be closed down because they would not be able
to obtain merchandise to sell, and factories would close down because they would not
be able to get raw material or distribute finished products.9 From the definitions above one
would note that ‘movement’ is the key word from both definitions. The movement can be
through car, lorry, horse, camel, human patronage etc. The most important thing here is that
goods and services should get to the final consumer.

Production: Pandit, expressed the connotation of productivity in these words, "productivity

is defined in economics as the output per unit of input.... the art of securing an increase in
output from the same input or of getting the same output from smaller inputs". He further
suggests, that increases in productivity, whether in industry or agriculture, is generally the
result of a more efficient use of some or all the factors of production, viz., land, labour and
capital.10 Thus the main aim of business is profit maximization. If one needs to say in
agricultural business he/she needs to be creative, to utilize the little input to get the greater
output.

Marketing: A. M Ojo, argued that “Agricultural Marketing is a derivative of the term

marketing. Therefore, agricultural marketing can be appreciated by the analysis of the term
marketing. The term market is literarily used to denote a place where goods and services are
sold and brought. It is also any established operating means or exchange for business dealings
between buyers and sellers.11

In the same analogy Acharya described marketing, in a dynamic and growing

agricultural sector, the agricultural marketing system ought to be understood and developed
as a link between the farm and the non-farm sectors. A dynamic and growing agricultural
sector requires fertilizers, pesticides, farm equipment’s, machinery, diesel, electricity,
packing material and repair services which are produced and supplied by the industry and
non-farm enterprises. The expansion in the size of farm output stimulates forward linkages by
providing surpluses of food and natural fibres which require transportation, storage, milling
or processing, packaging and retailing to the consumers. These functions are obviously
performed by non-farm enterprises. Further, if the increase in agricultural production is
accompanied by a rise in real incomes of farm families, the demand of these families for non-
farm consumer goods goes up as the proportion of income spent on non-food consumables
and durables tends to rise with the increase in real per capital income. Several industries, thus
find new markets for their products in the farm sector.12

U Haruna, M. H Sani, H. A Danwanka,. and E Adejo, defined gricultural marketing

as the performance of all the activities involved in the flow of agricultural products
3
and services from the initial points of agricultural production until they reach the hands of the
ultimate consumers. It is interested in everything that happens to crops after its leaves the
farm gate; making decision, taking actions and bearing the responsibility of the action.
Agricultural marketing also articulates all processes that take place from when the farmer
plans to meet specified demands and market prospects to when the producers finally gets it to
the consumers.13

According to the National Commission on Agriculture, agricultural marketing is a

process which starts with a decision to produce a saleable farm commodity, and it involves all
the aspects of market structure or system, both functional and institutional, based on technical
and economic considerations, and includes pre- and post-harvest operations, assembling,
grading, storage, transportation and distribution.14

From the above definitions of marketing, it is easy to bring to fore that marketing
denote movement of products through the value chain and it involves buying and selling. For
examine, in tomato production, marketing starts from the input supplier. The farmer/producer
buys his input from the supplier, whatever he buys, he produced and sales it to the wholesaler
or retailer or consumer. Thus transportation is involved at each stage of transaction. For
proper understanding diagram of marketing channel is shown below.

UNDERSTANDING TOMATO VALUE CHAIN AND THE ROLE OF

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN NIGERIA

In an organised marketing channel, most tomato farmers do not sell their tomato
directly to the consumers. Between the producers and the consumer there are set of
intermediaries performing different set of marketing functions. These intermediaries in the
marketing channel are wholesalers, and retailers. Because of the perishability of tomato and
poor transport system, the marketing channel in Nigeria is disorganized. Farmers sometimes,
boycott the intermediaries and sell their product either to retailers or directly to the
consumers. They sometimes disorganised the marketing channel because of Post-harvest
perishability of tomato which is a major threat to the farmers. Odemero, and Ngozi, noted
that,15 “as high as 10-30% post-harvest losses occur due to delays in transport arrangements
and long distances to urban markets. Inefficient transportation of tomato to the market is one
of the problems of tomato marketing as it leads to high degree of spoilage. The rural growers
and marketers of fresh tomato fruits recognize the perishability of the product.” Consequently
it is sold off in a hurry, sometimes at uneconomic rates. Adimabuno observed that among
small scale farmers in Nigeria, poor transportation network, poor marketing channels, low
commodity prices, the controlling power of intermediaries, weak market institutions, lack of
farmer cooperation, processing and storage facilities, compelled farmers to sell at low prices
rather than lose the entire product. Focus Group Discussion with Azi Gwom, Ezekiel Bulus,
Ayuba Chollom, Yakubu Dawan confirmed that tomato production is a very lucrative
business but has great risk because of its perishability. They stated that tomato is not
something you farm and keep, one has to get a ready market before he/she ventures into the
business. And one of the greater challenges of tomato production is poor transportation. 16 The

4
roads linking most villages to urban cities are usually very bad, and tomato do not endure bad
road as it would lead to mechanical injury, which often result in quality and price.

Perishability implies deterioration or loss of natural quality or marketable life or

saleable quality. Gotom Jackson lamented that, he lost heavily last season due to pest and
diseases, and the remaining ones harvested loss their quality and marketing value before
reaching the market, due to bad road, because the road in his locality is very rocky. 17 Sani
Kabiru. Sani, a wholesaler in Tulde Fulani in Toro LGA of Bauch State stated that, they buy
tomatoes from farmers at a good price base on quality and those without quality receive poor
price because of their perishability. He said that tomato with good quality are transported to
south-western part of Nigeria and the poor ones are mostly sold in the local market for those
who own restaurants. He confirmed that one of the main problems for poor quality of tomato
our bad roads. Bad roads seriously affect the marketing of tomato and those who are at the
receiving ends are mostly the rural farmers. 18 Omar Kaita, a transporter stressed that, the
condition of roads in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. The stress and headache the
experience transporting tomato from the rural areas to urban cities (south-west) is very
tedious. And the painful side of it is that most consumers do not understand, all the want is to
beat the price down.19 In tomato marketing, there are actors involve, each performing their
roles according to their specialization. Tomato must pass through the following channel of
distribution before it gets to the final consumer (s). Diagram is shown below.

Table 1: An overview of Tomato Marketing Channel from Input Supplies to Consumer

Source: www.Elements-of-the-tomato-value-chain-in-Nigeria-Source-Ugonna-et-al-2015

5
From the above diagram, tomato production and marketing starts from the input suppliers.
The input suppliers sell the farm inputs to the farmers, who farms, produce and sell it to the
wholesaler-retailer-consumer. The wholesaler sell directly to the retailer-marketers-store, the
retailer in turn sell it directly to the consumer. While the farmer-wholesaler can either sells to
the processor. The processor processed into finish good and sells to the departmental store
and the departmental store to the consumer(s). At each marketing level, transportation is
considered very vital. However, Yayock et al. classified the intermediaries associated with
the marketing of farm produce into several categories viz; local and urban. The local traders
live in the village takes their produce to the market and then sells collections in village
markets, either through village retailers or directly to consumers while the urban traders on
the other hand purchases farm produce in rural markets from retailers or directly from
farmers, and transport the material to other markets or to urban centres for sale and
his purchases are larger than the local trader. Retailers generally purchase produce
from wholesalers and sells to the consumers who buy in small quantities at a time. The
functions performed by retailers of farm produce include: reducing produce to small units
where relatively low-income consumers can easily afford or buy, buying and displaying
produce for sale at places that are convenient to consumers and sorting, processing and
repackaging produce to suit consumers’ needs. The wholesalers as individuals who rent
stalls in urban markets and handle large quantities of farm produce performing
marketing functions such as buying, storing and financing the exchange produce. Marketing
through wholesalers, channels has important advantages.20 Firstly, wholesalers buy produce
from farmers or local traders and sell to the retailers, to other wholesaler’s domestic and
foreign markets and to manufacturers and agricultural processors. Secondly, wholesalers
often finance the movement of produce and invariably bear most of the marketing
risks. In general, farmers who are able to sell their produce directly to wholesalers at
the village markets has better chance of receiving higher prices than those who
dispose of theirs through local traders to wholesalers. The transporter is another
intermediary in the chain of middlemen who perform marketing functions. 21 The transporter
conveys farm produce from place to place by means of animal power and various types of
motor vehicles. Kassali and William,22 expound more knowledge on the important of
transportation at each level of the marketing channel. They argued that in a situation where
smooth transportation network is not adequate, tomatoes would not get to the final consumers
on time and in the quality and quantity they desire. Bad roads affect tomatoes production and
marketing in Nigeria and bad road is one of the features of Nigeria transport system.

BENEFITS OF TRANSPORTATION ON TOMATO PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Aderamo and Magaji,23 identified the benefits of transportation on the production and
marketing of tomatoes in Nigeria. They observed that transportation constitutes the main
avenue through which different parts of the society are linked together. Tracey-White noted
that,24 “mobility in rural areas could be hampered by the lack of transportation facilities and
unavailability of good roads. He canvasses the need to study how transport systems affect the
marketing channels and therefore the long term agricultural productivity. He averred that the
mode of transportation used, length and time of the journey and the costs of transport all

6
affect the efficiency of marketing system and therefore farm output. He listed benefits
attached to improved transport as: (i) that agricultural surplus reach collection centres and
markets timely; (ii) a reduction of time burden for family members and (iii) a reduction in
transportation damages to perishable crops (especial tomato). Additionally, an improved
transport reduces operating costs to vehicle users and provides more direct and cost effective
access to public utilities.” Joshua Berde 25observed that agricultural areas that are close to
market and have good roads, tomato business runs smoothly and tomato farmers and
consumers enjoy a fair price in tomato business but reverse is the case for distance places
with bad condition of roads. Good and adequate transport network as well as nearness to
agricultural areas encourages large productivity of tomatoes.

Advances in transportation, has made possible changes in the way of living and the
way in which societies are organized and therefore have a great influence in the development
of the economic sector. In rural setting, transport is important in the transfer of goods from
the farm to the markets and such organization is ideal for local productivity improving the
livelihood opportunities of the local farmers. As such, transport is one of the various
elemental factors in rural development and it is necessary to understand its role in rural
development and particularly how it interacts alongside other factors of development, to
produce the resulting structure of the rural economy and society. The availability of
transports facilities in rural communities therefore affects the basic functions of production,
marketing and consumption.26 Kassali et al added that, the adoption of Intermediary Mode of
Transports (IMT) such as motorcycle, bicycle, boat and canoe mostly adapted for local
transport problems with low and medium loads may have the following effects on
agricultural production and marketing: (a) cultivation of large farm areas, (b) utilization of
more fertile remote soils and heavier crops production, (c) increased utilization of fertilizer
and manure, (d) reduction in effort and drudgery and spill-over effects if animals are used for
ploughing and transport will enable farmers to respond better to markets signals. 27 This
system will surely boast tomato production at the local level; if farmers could utilize this
system of transportation effectively tomato production at the local level would increase. This
system is very good but not without shortcoming. The problem with (IMT) is that, it cannot
be used in proximity. Tomato business cross across the nation and it is gaining more
prominence in the international system. Better means of transport should be used such as
cooler vans, long vehicles with good shock-absorber, would help reduce tomato perishability.

Transportation especially road transport plays a significant role in directing

mobility and accessibility of places. Road transport provides access to social amenities,
public facilities and socio-economic activities . It provides the diffusion of new technology
and techniques, increase production, reduce marketing cost, increase spatial interaction and
increase link access to education and health facilities. It also increases mobility and reduce
isolation. In the absence of good road network, farmers would not want to produce in large
quantities because of the fear of the perishable nature of their farm produce, since they might
not get to the point of sale before their expiration. If agriculture will respond to the growing
demand of the increasing population, it will be necessary to ensure a good road network to
reduce the cost of flow of agricultural commodities to the urban areas. Road transports also

7
provide the necessary information needed for rural services to enable the agricultural sector
to contribute meaningfully to the general economic growth.28 This will help to accommodate
the increased traffic flow of input and output moving from rural areas to urban centres.

Ikejiofor and Ali stressed the fact that road transport is indeed very crucial as it is a
phase in production process which is not complete until the commodity is in the hands of
final consumers. Availability of road transport facilities is a crucial management factor
that stimulates economic growth through increased accessibility, its efficiency and
effectiveness. Also it affects the basic function of production, distribution, marketing
and consumption in many ways. Road Transportation also influences the cost of
commodity consumed and the purchasing power of the consumers. This is because the
nature of roads in which goods and services passes will determine the time, quality of
goods on reaching the consumers.29 Meanwhile, if these products reach the final consumers
in record time and in good quality it will attract more money for the producers and vice versa.
The effectiveness of good roads in agricultural production should not be taken for granted as
it can usher Nigeria to become a food secured nation

It is important to note here that transportation and agriculture have always co-
existed because the value of any agricultural products can be realized only when
commodities are transported to the buyer in good condition. Most of these goods rely on road
transport which has been described to be in deplorable state and grossly inadequate. In fact as
at 1996, survey reports showed that majority of Nigeria populace still had no access to road
while 90% of the rural roads which was estimated at between 130,000 and
160,600Km nationwide were in poor condition. 30 If good roads are put in place, tomato
production would increase and Nigeria would have a comparative advantage.

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION ON TOMATO PRODUCTION AND

MARKETING

Everywhere around the world, agricultural production is central to the overall

wellbeing of the populace because of its importance in the provision of foods, income for
farmers, raw materials for industries, employment and foreign exchange for the nation. 31 The
National Bureau of Statistics/Central Bank of Nigeria stated that agricultural production
provides for 2/3 of Nigerians who are low income earners and it is presently one of the world
largest producers of food and raw materials for its major enterprise. However, Nigeria is still
facing serious food shortages to meet up the need of ever increasing population in the country
which has manifested in food shortages.32 Despite Nigeria’s rank of 2nd to Egypt in Africa and
13th position in the world hierarchy of tomato production, the country is still lagging behind
in tomato production compared to Egypt and USA. Nigeria still imports 65,809 tonnes of
processed tomato annually, worth over N11.7 billion despite its massive local production. 33
The Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC),
disclosed this at the opening of a workshop on tomato juice processing and marketing in
Gusau, Zamfara State. He said: “the country’s overdependence in the importation of tomatoes
cost the huge sum and that the trend will continue until adequate transportation network,
domestic food processing and storage facilities are put in place.” 34

8
 Looking at the geographical settings of Nigeria in relation to tomatoes production and
marketing. The temperature, humidity, water and soil type, of the northern part of the country
favour’s the production of tomato than the south-west. Tomato is largely consumed and
marketed in the south-western. The role of transportation in the production and marketing of
tomato is very crucial. Road transport link northern Nigeria with south-west through various
states. But the roads are heavily characterized with potholes, mud, bumps, untied road and
gravels, thus very harmful tomato fruit. To illustrate more on bad roads, below are some of
the pictures of bad road in Nigeria that hinders tomato production and marketing.

Picture 1: Ondo state Picture 2: Lagos State

Picture 3: Benue State Picture 4: Lagos-Abuja highway

9
Picture 5; Otukpo-Obollo-Affor road Picture 6: Jos Road

These are the situation of bad roads in Nigeria that affect tomato production and
smooth running of the marketing channel. Reports have been gathered that out of 3,800 bad
roads that needed to be fixed, The Federal Government has disclosed that only 500 roads will
be fixed due to low budget. Senator Abdulfatai Buhari has said of the 3,800 federal roads
identified as requiring attention, only 500 have been captured in the 2020 budget. According
him, “due to cash crunch, majority of the bad roads will not be fixed for now as the total of
N260 million was budgeted for renovations of the roads in Nigeria, but unfortunately the
money can only fix 500 roads.35 Unfortunately, this is too bad for agro-institution in Nigeria.
The vision and mission of making Nigeria a food secured nation is nothing but a myriad.
With the conditions of our bad roads, the federal government are encouraging Nigerians to go
‘back to land’ without making proper arrangement to repair and reconstruct road network.
The future of the Nigeria’s agricultural sector is in jeopardy, if road transports are not fixed.

Tomato farmers have lost a lot of revenue due to bad or poor transport facilities in
Nigeria. Tomato is a cash crop to most rural farmers, and 70 per cent of farmers who farm
tomato reside in the rural communities and are smallholding farmers. Lots of tomatoes are
lost due to post-harvest losses because of its perishability nature. Tomato cannot withstand
mechanical injuries due to bad road as it would get bruised and spoil. Goyol and Pathirage
buttress the point that transport infrastructure particularly road systems are unfortunately in
deficit in agrarian communities in Nigeria, host to agricultural production and often located in
rural areas, and the few available are in poor conditions. 36 Yaro, Okon and Bisong observed
that, Nigeria, is typically an agrarian nation with more than 70 per cent of the population
residing in the rural areas, the inhabitants are mostly farmers engaged in agriculture
producing goods such as tomato, palm oil, yam, garri, Kola nut, rice, beans, cocoa and so on;
that are consumed in the cities and most of the agricultural raw materials used by the
industries, the majority of the goods to be transported are by nature often bulky, low price at
the farm gate, and perishable.37 Unfortunately, the transportation system needed to evacuate
these goods is not available and adequate. Because of the challenges transporters faced to
transport these products to the cities, the marketing price is always often high. And
consumers have no choice than to purchase the agricultural produce at a very high cost due to
bad roads condition. To give backing to this point Goyol and Pathirage also argued that on

10
the whole, poor road conditions hikes production costs leading to low returns on investments,
affects income levels accompanied by increase in poverty levels all of which challenges
sustainable agricultural development.38 In Nigeria, the issue of rural transportation
development has continued to be of national importance. For instance, most of the rural
roads are in poor condition, and this has imposed significant cost on the national
economy especially to the agricultural activities due to increased vehicle operating costs
and travel times.39 It is important to note here that transport is very, very imperative to be
repaired (existing ones) and reconstructed because production and consumption are two side
of the same coin. This is so, because about 90 per cent of farm products (tomatoes) are
produced in the rural communities, and 10 per cent are consumed by them. While 90 per cent
of the farm products are consumed by consumers living in urban cities, and 10 per cent are
produced by them. Agriculture in Nigeria and the world at large cannot survive without good
transport network.

In a similar fashion, Yaro, Okon and Bisong also examined that areas with good
transportation network cultivate reasonable portion (hectares) of farm, and that land are
occupied to meet the demand in the urban and rural areas, whereas the farm lands in
inaccessible areas where there are challenges of transportation is at subsistence level. Rural
travel and transport in most rural areas in Nigeria still take place with great difficulties
thereby compounding and worsening the problem of rural productivity and rural poverty. 40 In
the absence of good road network, farmers would not want to produce in large quantities
because of the fear of the perishable nature of their farm produce, since they might not get to
the point of sale before their expiration. Inaccessibility of good and smooth transport may
therefore affect food availability and food security. Bureau of public enterprise, argued that
the problem of road transport sub-sector has suffered from the effect of past shortage of
resources. The decline in the number of commercial vehicle transporting farmers and traders
and their goods to and from the market militates against development. Nigerian government
need to understand that food accessibility is the link between food availability and utilization
is closely related to the availability of good transport systems as it ensures the physical and
economic access to food to meet required dietary conditions. The means of making food
available to points of need, often by road transport, can be dependent on the availability and
the nature of the roads.41 Focus Group Discussion with a group of farmers disclose that most
of the tomatoes produced in Nigeria are mostly rain fed. During rainy reason, most of the
farm roads become water logged and always very difficult for farmers and marketers to
accessed sure areas. The resultant effect of this is post-harvest losses. According to them,
most farmers formed group of ten (10) and collect loans in cooperative societies in order to
farm and produce tomato, but most often lost in the business because of bad roads. And most
times they are always left at the mercies of the marketers who always buy tomatoes at low
price and sell it to the consumers at a high price.42

Tomato production and marketing depend so much on accessed roads. Because of its
perishability nature, tomatoes farmers are in a hurry to sell their produce without any dely.
Adedeji et al stated that effective transportation eases accessibility to inherent potentials
of rural areas which could be harnessed for the development of its economy. In other

11
words, rural transportation provision forms an intrinsic part of rural development
strategies, serving as a mechanism and catalyst for rural transformation through the
reinforcement of rural development and contributes to poverty reduction by enhancing both
equity and efficiency outcomes.43 On the other hand Goyol and Pathirage pointed out that
lack of good road infrastructure compounds the challenge of accessibility. First, access to
input services resulting to low use of inputs and modern agricultural technologies
resulting to low agricultural productivity. Second, access to market and market services by
hindering the movement of produce to points of demand thereby hindering economic
development. Also, poor road network in rural area can be a barrier to the integration
of labour markets across space. 44 In assessing the relationship between road infrastructure
and economic growth, Yaro, Okon & Bisong, explained that most rural communities face
transportation constraints which limit their ability to reduce their poverty level.45

CONCLUSION

This paper had critically examined the impact of transportation network on tomato
production and marketing in Nigeria, using road transport as case study. Tomato production
and marketing suffers serious setback due to poor transportation network linking the rural
communities with the urban cities. Tomato is highly perishable; it does not survive under
harsh physical condition (mechanical injury). Tomatoes usually get spoiled and wasted before
it reaches the final consumer courtesy bad roads in Nigeria. Nigeria is ranked 2 nd largest
producers of tomato in Africa and 13 th in the world but more than half of it is loss during
post-harvest and 70-80 per cent of the workforce are usually local farmers living in the rural
areas. Tomato production and marketing will continue to suffer greatly if the federal, state
and local government refuse to do anything to repair and reconstruct roads in the country.

FORWARD LOOKING SUGGESTION

Due to the important role of transportation in the production and marketing of tomato,
the federal, state and local governments should provide adequate transportation system which
will help in transporting tomato from the farm gate to the final consumer.

The federal, state and local governments should improve the transportation system, so
as to encourage farmers to work hard to increase production and to enable marketers to
reduce their profit margin.

Due to the perishability nature of tomato, the government at all level should repair
and reconstruct major and minor roads so as to avoid post-harvest losses due to mechanical
injury. The government, law enforcement agencies, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies,
most fight corruption and arrest any person found guilty of mismanaging public funds meant
for the construction of roads.

Finally, transport is seen as a facilitating factor in the movement of tomato from input
supplies, producers, marketers, until it reaches the final consumer. If the transport networks

12
are put in place, Nigeria would have a comparative advantage in tomato production in Africa,
even in the world at large.

ENDNOTES

13
1
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Environmental and Spatial Factors”. Proceeding of 20th Annual Conference of
Geographical Association, of University of Ife, Ile-Ife. Cited in in A. O. Ajiboye. And
Afolayan O., “The impact of transportation on agricultural production in a developing
country: a case of kolanut production in Nigeria” in International Journal of Agricultural
Economics and Rural Development, Volume 2 (2): 2009. (IJAERD), 5
2
A.O. Ajiboye, “Rural Accessibility and Transportation Problems. A case study of
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4
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in a developing country: a case of kolanut production in Nigeria” in International Journal
of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Volume 2 (2): 2009. (IJAERD),
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ISSN(Online) : 2347-3002, www.questjournals.org, 100.
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13
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Marketers in Bauchi Metropolis of Bauchi State, Nigeria” Nigerian Journal of Agriculture,
Food and Environment. 8(3):1-Published September, 2012. 1
14
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Services and Incentives” (Publisher: The Controller Of Publications : Delhi, 1970), 5.
15
Achoja Felix Odemero, and Okoh Rosemary Ngozi, “Post-Harvest Properties of Tomato and
Effect on Its Marketing Efficiency” Turkish Journal of Agricultural and Natural Sciences
1(1): 52–58, 2014, 53.
16
Focus Group Discussion with Azi Gwom, Ezekiel Bulus, Ayuba Chollom, Yakubu Dawan,
Shere District of Jos East LGA of Plateau State, Farmers, 27th December, 2019.
17
Interview with Gotom Jackson, 38 years, farmer, Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, 22 nd
November, 2019.
18
Interview with Sani Kabiru. Sani, 50 years, Tomato Marketer, Tulde Fulani, 25 th November,
2019.
19
Interview with Omar Kaita, 46 years, Transporter. Bauchi, 25th November, 2019.
20
J. Y Yayock, G. Lombin, and J. J Owonobi, Crop Science and Production in Warm
Climates. (Macmillan intermediate Agricultural Series 1998), 10

21
U Haruna, M. H Sani, H. A Danwanka,. and E Adejo, “Economic Analysis of Fresh Tomato
Marketers in Bauchi Metropolis of Bauchi State, Nigeria” Nigerian Journal of Agriculture,
Food and Environment. 8(3):1-Published September, 2012. 2.

22
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William, “Effect of rural transportation system on agricultural productivity in Oyo State,
Nigeria”, Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, Vol.
113 No. 1 (2012) 13–19 urn:nbn:de:hebis:34-2012061541307 ISSN: 1612-9830 – journal
online: www.jarts.info., 2.
23
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Facilities in Nigeria: A Case of Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State”.
Journal of Human Ecology, 29 (3): 171-179. (Kamla-Raj Publishers)
24
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25
Joshua Berde, 57 years, Civil Servant, Naraye Kaduna State, 1st January, 2020
26
Margaret A. Yaro ,Asuquo E. Okon & Delia B. Bisong, “The Impact of Rural Transportation
on Agricultural Development in Boki Local Government Area, Southern Nigeria” Journal of
Management and Sustainability; Vol. 4, No. 4; 2014 ISSN 1925-4725 E-ISSN 1925-4733
(Published by Canadian Centre of Science and Education), 125.
27
Kassali et al, “Effect of rural transportation…14.
28
Olusogo Ogunleye, Akinyemi Ajibola, Oluwafemi Enilolobo And Olufolakemi Shogunle,
“Influence of road transport infrastructure on agricultural sector development in Nigeria”
Journal of Logistics & Sustainable Transport, Vol. 9, No. 1, February 2018, 39-50 doi:
10.2478/jlst-2018-0004, 39.
29
Ijeoma Gladys Ikejiofor and Alphosus Ali, “The Effects of Road Transport Characteristics
on the Marketing of Agricultural Produce in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, South-Eastern
Nigeria” Innovare Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2014, 1-4, 2.
30
Ibid
31
Momoh, Onaivi Yakubu, Akpoko, Joseph Gambo and Akinola, Mathew Olu, “Impact of
Agricultural Services and Training Centre Project on Tomato Farmers’ Livelihood in Plateau
State, Nigeria”, Journal of Agricultural Extension, Vol. 22 (1) February, 2018 ISSN(e):
24086851; ISSN(Print); 1119944X.
Available at https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jae.v22i1.4 (Accessed 6th August, 2018), 35.
32
Ibid
33
Ibid
34
A. B. Sekumade and S.O.W Toluwase, “Profitability and Production Effieciency of
Indigenous Tomato Cultivation among Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria”, IOSR Journal of
Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, PP 13-23p-ISSN:
2319-2372. Volume 7, Issue 11 Ver. I (Nov. 2014), 14.
35
Faith, “FG To Fix Only 500 Roads Out Of 3,800 Bad Roads In Nigeria”, Harald online
newspaper on Politics, Government, Entertainment, Sports and more
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Agrarian Communities and Policy Implications for Agricultural Trade and Food Security In
Nigeria”, 1.
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Yaro, Okon & Bisong, “The Impact of Rural Transportation…126.
38
Goyol and C. Pathirage, “Climate Change Impacts…3
39
Akintola, S.R. (2007) Coping with infrastructural deprivation through collective action
among rural people in Nigeria. Nomadic Journal of African Studies, 16 (1). 30- 46
40
Ibid, 132
41
Ibid, 2
42
Focus Group Discussion with Daylop James, Abraham Wakili, Adamu Sule, Gombo Bature
and Alhasan Hamisum Jos North Local Government of Plateau State, 27th December, 2019
43
O.A Adedeji, E.M Olafiaji, Omole, Olanibi F.K, J.A, and Yusuff Lukman, “An Assessment
of The Impact of Road Transport on Rural Development: A Case Study of Obokun Local
Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria”, British Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.2,
No.1, pp.34-48, March 2014, Published by European Centre for Research Training and
Development UK (www.ea-journals.org), 35.
44
Shamdasani, Y. (2016). Rural Road Infrastructure & Agricultural Production: Evidence
from India. (USA: Published by Columbia University Press, 2016). Cited in S.S. Goyol and
C. Pathirage, “Climate Change Impacts on Transport Infrastructure in Agrarian Communities
and Policy Implications for Agricultural Trade and Food Security In Nigeria
45
Goyol and C. Pathirage, “Climate Change Impacts…4