DETERMINANTS OF Irvingia SPECIES KERNEL (Ogbono) SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of Irvingia species (ogbono) in Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State of Nigeria. Primary data were mainly used in the study. The data were collected using two sets of well-structured questionnaire containing items on the supply information for producer and demand information respectively on ogbono in the study area. A two-stage sampling technique was used to sample respondents in the area. A total of sixty (60) copies of the producer-set and one hundred and twenty (120) copies of the consumer-set of questionnaire respectively were valid for analysis for the study. Data collected were subjected to inferential statistics using multivariate analysis, involving correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PGA), and the standardized beta-weight multiple regression analysis. The results showed that, among the determinants of the supply of ogbono in the study area, the initial supply price, mid-season supply price and the end-season price were statistically significant at 5% level of significance. Among the determinants of irvingia kernel (ogbono) demand, the initial demand price, mid-season demand price, end-of-season demand price, price of substitute commodity were statistically significant. Therefore, institutional framework that will guarantee stable price of ogbono will ultimately translate to improved economic base and sustained livelihoods of the people of Aniocha in Delta State, Nigeria.