Socio-Economic Structure and Income Distribution Dynamics in the Cocoa Beans Value Chain of Ogun State, Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Development

Olaoluwa Ayodeji Adebayo and Ayodele Adebayo Soretire
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Olaoluwa Ayodeji Adebayo: Federal College of Forestry, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ayodele Adebayo Soretire: Produce Services Department. Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun State, Nigeria

Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, 2026, issue 1, 258-273

Abstract: This study examined the socio-economic structure and income distribution dynamics among cocoa beans value chain actors in the Ijebu produce inspection areas of Ogun State and assessed their implications for sustainable agricultural development. Despite the economic importance of cocoa to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and rural livelihoods, persistent disparities in value capture across actors continue to raise concerns about equity, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Using a cross-sectional survey design, primary data were collected from 41 cocoa farmers, 47 local middlemen (Barakunas), 42 storekeepers, and 12 merchants operating within the grading zones of Ijebu Ode, Ogbere, and Ajebandele. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square (χ²) test of independence were applied to analyze socio-demographic characteristics, income distribution, and enterprise structures across stakeholder categories. The results revealed statistically significant differences in socio-demographic profiles (χ² = 35.0, p

Keywords: Cocoa value chain; Income distribution; Socio-economic structure; Sustainable agricultural development; Smallholder farmers; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ddj:ejards:y:2026:i:1:p:288-273

DOI: 10.35219/jards.2026.1.17

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