Analysis of Forest Based Mortar and Pestle Marketing in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The emerging high level technology is a threat to small scale retail livelihood business in Nigeria. Wood carving business particularly mortar and pestle production and marketing, is an important component of local household economy and culture of many tribes especially in southwestern Nigeria. This study analyzed marketing of mortar and pestle in Oyo state, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through administration of questionnaire using snowballing technique to select 37 traders who are involved in marketing of mortar and pestle in five major markets in Ibadan metropolis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics to describe socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents while marketing margin analysis was used to determine the profitability in mortar and pestle among the traders. The results revealed that majority of the respondents involved in mortar and pestle marketing were male (90.3) with more than three-quarter having primary education (87.1%). The respondents are in their active and middle age with average age of 38 years. The estimated monthly return on the marketing of mortar and pestle was ₦19,000.00. Vitellaria paradoxa was ranked first among the tree species used in mortar production while Irvingia gabonensis was ranked last. The average price of Vitellaria paradoxa ₦4,000.00 was highest while Pterocarpus soyauxii was the cheapest for all the types of mortar and pestle in terms of size. Majority (90.32%) of the respondents laid emphasis on the type of tree species when choosing mortar and pestle for either domestic or commercial uses. The study therefore recommends that efforts be made towards sustainable forest management and encourage private individuals on establishing economic tree plantations in order to ensure continuous availability of wood species for mortar and pestle business.