COMMODITY FLOW ANALYSIS OF YAM (DIOSCOREA SPP) IN BENUE NORTH REGION, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the movement of yam from the Zaki Biam International Yam Market to deficit regions of Nigeria to unravel yam flow pattern/magnitude for economic census while also revealing major distribution destinations. Both primary and secondary data were utilized for the study. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire survey, while secondary data were retrieved from published articles and reports. Data were analyzed using inferential, descriptive statistics, and GIS flow mapping procedures. The study revealed that more yam (4,752,000 tubers) flows from the Zaki Biam yam market to the Southern part of Nigeria than to the Northern part of the country (1,824,000 tubers) as observed in November 2023. It also observed that the volume of the yam distributed is not a function of distance to the source region alone. Other factors, such as market demand, may also play a role, though this study did not directly measure them. The research concluded that flow mapping is powerful and promotes economic understanding, efficiency, and managerial prowess, particularly in commodity distribution, economic statistics, and trend observation, while ensuring food security. The study recommended innovative collaborative efforts between the relevant stakeholders to ensure commodity flow data acquisition and survey for economic census, effective decision-making, and growth.