Willingness to Participate in Group Marketing of Farm Produce among Maize Farmers in Oyo State of Nigeria

The study assessed the willingness of maize farmers to participate in group marketing of farm produce in Oyo State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 200 respondents from the study area. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule from the sampled respondents. The data collected were analyzed with the use of frequency distribution tables, percentages and mean as the main descriptive statistical tools. Logistic statistics was employed to establish relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of respondents and willingness to participate in group marketing of farm produce. The mean age of the respondents was 45.27 years. Sixty four percent (64%) of them were married while the average household size was 7.49. The average number of years spent in school was 8.07 while average farm size was 4.196 hectares. The study discovered that 62% of the respondents are willing to participate in group marketing. Result of inferential statistics revealed that significant relationship exists between educational status of respondents, farm size, revenue generated and willingness to participate in produce group marketing. The study concluded that weak marketing plans, poor dissemination of information, high transaction costs, cheating among members, disagreement within the group and lack of adequate credit facilities are challenges facing marketing groups activities in the study area. It was therefore recommended that the communication channels employed should be made very effective and the use of mobile phones are also encouraged to ensure timely dissemination of marketing information among members