Investigation of key aspects for the successful marketing of cowpeas in Senegal
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Date
2005-04
Authors
Faye, Mbene Dieye
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Due to the lack of information on the factors that affect the marketing of
cowpeas in Senegal, this study investigates key aspects for the successful
marketing of cowpeas in Senegal. The contribution this study makes lies in the
information it generates to empower role-players in the cowpea value chain to
better understand (i) the demand relations of cowpeas in Senegal, (ii) the
information needs of role-players and the extent to which markets are
integrated, and (iii) for which characteristics of cowpea consumers are willing to
pay premiums.
An Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model is applied to one period cross
sectional data to estimate demand relations of cowpea's in Senegal. The own
price elasticity of cowpea is -1.23 while its expenditure elasticity is 0.97 showing
that cowpea is a normal necessity.
A sample of 443 respondents was taken to determine the information needs of
different role-players in the cowpea supply chain. Availability of price
information on local and export markets are deemed vitally important by all role
players. Information pertaining to quantities supplied and demanded, and
buyers' preferences are not regarded by all role-players as equally important.
The most appropriate mode to dissemination cowpea related information should
depend on the accessibility of a particular mode by role-players.
Bivariate correlation coefficients, co-integration tests, Granger Causality tests
and Ravallion's model are used to investigate level of market integration. The
results show that cowpea markets as a whole are not integrated. This is not a
surprising result since it can be linked to the general lack of market information.
The influence of cowpea characteristics on cowpea prices is analyzed with a
hedonic pricing model. The results show that large grain size and sugar
contents are characteristics for which consumers are willing to pay premiums in
all markets.
The implication of the results of this study has several dimensions, i.e. (i) roleplayers
in the cowpea supply chain now has information to guide pricing
strategies, (ii) changes in expenditures on cowpeas can be properly discounted
in marketing strategies, (iii) interventions can be designed to address the needs
of information users and to address the non-integrated nature of cowpeas
markets, and (iv) research programs and role-players should focus their
research and marketing activities on those characteristics for which consumers
are willing to pay premiums.
Description
Keywords
Cowpea -- Senegal -- Marketing, Cowpea -- Economic aspects, Dried beans -- Senegal -- Marketing, Thesis (Ph.D. (Agricultural Economics))--University of the Free State, 2005