Analysis of Spatial Patterns of the Fertilizer Value Chain Actors and their Market Determinants in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract:

The study examined the spatial patterns of fertilizer value chain actors. A multistage sampling technique was used. Five LGAs were randomly selected using the card system technique, Ten Fertilizer companies, 41 Agro-dealers, 15 transporters, 484 farmers, and 220 retailers. A zero-inflated model was used to account for the prevalence of zero values; spatial autocorrelation integrated a neighbouring structure approach and clustered distribution patterns are prominent across the board (z=-21.94, p<.01). The z-scores revealed the likelihood of the cluster occurring randomly is less than 1%. The examination underscored clustering as an area-based and commodity-based phenomenon. Evaluation of the model was anchored in an alpha level of 0.05. The model's overall significance emerged with a notable outcome, x^(2 )(7) = 49.91, p<.001, underscoring the substantive influence of age, education, household size, farm size, cooperative association, credit, and distance on the spatial patterns. McFadden R-squared for this particular model stood at an impressive 0.8.