THE EFFECTS OF ROAD TRANSPORT CHARACTERISTICS ON THE MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN NSUKKA LGA, ENUGU STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

The objective of this paper is to analyse the characteristics of road transport and its effect on marketing of agricultural produce in Nsukka L.G.A, South Eastern Nigeria. To achieve this objective, data were collected from documentary materials,questionaire, in-depth interview and field observation. The varibles considered were nature and conditions of roads, means of transportation used, distance travelled . Data were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages and Simple Regression. Field observations revealed that majority of roads are in deplorable state, characterised by potholes, gullies, rough surfaces and are mainly seasonal and poorly accessible during the rainy season. Percentage analysis performed on nature of roads travelled by farmers on their journey to farm movement revealed that 85.3percent of farmers travel on untarred roads while only 14.7percent move on tarred roads. Also we discovered that the most preferred means of transportation for farmers head poterage. Finally, the regression analysis performed on transport cost and distance and nature of roads travelled by farmers indicated a strong and positive relationship between both variables. The regression gave an R2 of 0.571 implying that 57percent of the variation in the dependent variables (transport cost) was explained by the independent variables (nature of road surfaces and distances). The overall effect of this, is increase in transport cost which has adverse effect on rural livelihood, farmers wellbeing and quality of life. Appropriate recommendations based on the findings of the study were made. These include road concession of rural roads development to private companies for proper maintainance of rural roads.KEYWORDS:    transportation, marketing, road,food, transport cost, Nsukk