Improving food product distribution in developing countries : a case-study of Nigeria : an analysis of environmental forces influencing food distribution and recommendations for policy reform

Abstract: The general aim of this study is to And ways of improving the functioning of food product distribution in Nigeria, including: i) to develop knowledge about the relationship between environmental forces and the food product distribution system; ii) to identify possible change mechanisms in the system; and iii) to formulate recommendations for market reform along the dimension of the creation of action programs that address the needs of farmers/producers, distributors, and consumers. Theoretical triangulation was used to conceptualize distribution channels as a system of interrelated parts consisting of economic and social components. The former implies the coordinated division of distributive tasks among economic actors, while the latter signifies the interactive relationship of actors carrying out the distribution tasks. Methodological triangulation facilitated the use of multiple data collection methods consisting of personal open-ended interviews, key informants, participant and non-participant observation and document analysis. The findings reported as critical incidents indicate that inadequacies in food distribution infrastructures result in seasonal price variations, high distribution costs, inter-market price disparities, and disincentives to improve the actors’ operating characteristics. Similarly, déficiences in institutional factors coupled with short-term oriented government intervention measures in the distribution system are constrained by economic, political and technical factors. This study recommends that the distribution channel participants be regarded as part of the solution to the interrelated and interactive sub-problems affecting the distribution system rather than being regarded as part of the problem as most often done. Consequently, existing strengths and potentials in the distribution system should be capitalized upon. In addition to recommendations for selective market reforms, suggested and endorsed by the channel participants, structural and institutional improvements in the distribution system along the dimensions of credit policy, information dissemination, training programs, food distribution infrastructure and an approach to facilitate coordination in the distribution channels are presented. Efforts were made to address how a change process can be "set in motion" in the system and the foreseen hindrances to such a process.