THE ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION IN AGRICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CHAIN IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Food security remains a critical global challenge, particularly in developing nations where agricultural 
productivity, transportation infrastructure, and distribution systems are often inadequate. This study 
focuses on the role of transportation in the agricultural distribution chain in South-Western Nigeria. The 
aim of the study is to identify the bottlenecks in the agricultural distribution and propose sustainable 
solutions to enhance efficient food distribution in South-West region. Three of the six (6) states that 
constitute the South-West, Nigeria were selected for the study (Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti States).  Four 
Hundred (400) structured questionnaires were administered based on the Taro Yamen’s formula. 389 of 
the returned questionnaires were adjudged suitable for the study. The data obtained was analyzed using 
both the descriptive and Inferential Statistics. The findings show that youth (30.8%) between the ages of 
36-45 are actively involved in the agricultural chain.  This reveals that the agricultural chain is income 
generating, and providing employment for the teeming population of the region. The study concludes by 
recommending the rehabilitation of rural roads, provision of infrastructure, introduction of appropriate 
digital platforms to enable farmers’ access markets more effectively, and elaborate stakeholder 
engagement at all levels as some of the measures of dissemination of information, to strengthen the 
agricultural chain in South-West, Nigeria.