AN INVESTIGATION OF RURAL TRANSPORT AND FARM PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION IN OGUN STATE,A CASE STUDY OF AGO IWOYE OGUN STATE

ABSTRACT This study investigated the rural transportation and farm produce distribution in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. The research identified the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and transport operators, examined the transportation means used in distribution of farm produces and the challenges of transportation in the study area. The study adopted survey research design using both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected using convenience techniques. The study was analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive methods includes percentage, frequency, mean, standard deviation and pie chart while inferential statistics includes t test and correlation (spearman rank). The result of the analysis revealed that commercial car and motorcycle which represent 30%, 22% respectively were the major means of transport adopted by the farmers to move their farm produces from the farm to point of sale in the study area while car and tricycle which accounted for 36%, 20% respectively were the major type of vehicle used by the transporters in distributing the farmer's produces to markets. Cost of transport, poor road condition and lack of reliable transport were the major challenges identified by the farmers in distributing their produces while high operational costs and poor road condition were the major challenges that the transport operators said they are facing in providing transportation services for farmers. Results showed that there is significant difference in the number of transportation means (t value was 4.365, 4.428, table value was 2.571, 2.776) for farmers and transport operators respectively. Also the study showed that there is no significant relationship between means of transportation and distribution of farm produce (t value was -0.7704, 1.299 while table value was 2.776, 3.182) for farmers and transport operators respectively. The study therefore concludes that rural transportation in Ago iwoye is characterised by poor road condition, lack of reliable transport, high operational cost and high cost of transportation.The study therefore conclude that in order to improve the flow of agricultural produce in the study area, the government should focus on the provision of transport facilities, good roads and adequate infrastructure in the area. Word count: 352 words Keywords: Farmers, Farm produce, Transportation, Transport Operators