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40-407: Umuahia is renowned for being a railway and agricultural market center, which attracts traders and farmers from neighboring towns to sell their produce, such as yams, cassava, corn (maize), taro, citrus fruits, and palm oil and kernels. There are industries that help drive its economy, such as a brewery and a palm-oil-processing plant. Nigeria's National Root Crops Research Institute , at Umudike ,

80-672: A clan of the Igbo people of Umuahia , Nigeria, which is one of the five Clans that make up the present day Umuahia. Umuopara lies on the western border of Abia with Imo State. The natural boundaries between the Umuopara of Umuahia Abia State and its Umungwa and Udo-Mbaise neighbours both in Imo state is the Imo River. The Umuopara reside in seven villages known as umunne asaa : Ezeleke , Ogbodiukwu , Ekenobizi, Ehume, Ogbodinibe, Umuihi and Umunwawa. Umuopara

120-744: A community's social and economic needs and how to choose a suitable site for a new market. In many cases sites are chosen that are inappropriate and result in under-use or even no use of the infrastructure constructed. It is also not sufficient just to build a market: attention needs to be paid to how that market will be managed, operated and maintained. Rural assembly markets are located in production areas and primarily serve as places where farmers can meet with traders to sell their products. These may be occasional (perhaps weekly) markets, such as haat bazaars in India and Nepal, or permanent. Terminal wholesale markets are located in major metropolitan areas, where produce

160-406: A more integrated chain, such as one involving contract farming . Efforts to develop agricultural marketing have, particularly in developing countries, intended to concentrate on a number of areas, specifically infrastructure development; information provision; training of farmers and traders in marketing and post-harvest issues; and support to the development of an appropriate policy environment. In

200-418: A realistic price at their local assembly market. Various attempts have been made in developing countries to introduce commercial market information services but these have largely been targeted at traders, commercial farmers or exporters. It is not easy to see how small, poor farmers can generate sufficient income for a commercial service to be profitable although in India a service introduced by Thomson Reuters

240-428: A supportive policy, legal, institutional, macro-economic , infrastructural and bureaucratic environment. Traders and others are generally reluctant to make investments in an uncertain policy climate, such as those that restrict imports and exports or internal produce movement. Businesses have difficulty functioning when their trading activities are hampered by excessive bureaucracy. Inappropriate law can distort and reduce

280-647: A value chain context. More attention is now being paid to the development of regional markets (e.g. East Africa) and to structured trading systems that should facilitate such developments. The growth of supermarkets , particularly in Latin America and East and South East Asia, is having a significant impact on marketing channels for horticultural, dairy and livestock products. Nevertheless, "spot" markets will continue to be important for many years, necessitating attention to infrastructure improvement such as for retail and wholesale markets . Umuopara Umuopara are

320-495: A way as to satisfy farmers, intermediaries and consumers. Numerous interconnected activities are involved in doing this, such as planning production, growing and harvesting , grading , packing and packaging , transport, storage , agro- and food processing , provision of market information , distribution , advertising and sale. Effectively, the term encompasses the entire range of supply chain operations for agricultural products, whether conducted through ad hoc sales or through

360-466: Is adjacent to the town. Umuahia also has several colleges including Trinity College (theological), Government College Umuahia, Holy Rosary Girls Secondary School and hospitals like the Federal Medical Centre , Umuahia (formerly Queen Elizabeth Hospital). Umuahia comprises two local government areas : Umuahia North and Umuahia South . These local governments are also composed of clans such as

400-526: Is composed mainly of five sister clans, socially and phonologically homogenous at most, with each clan having its own version of autonomy, and social evolution. Umuahia was established by the British colonial administration of Nigeria in the early 20th century. Umuahia was declared the second (and soon became the longest serving) capital, of the short-lived nation of the Republic of Biafra , on 28 September 1967 after

440-412: Is considered to be wet. In Umuahia, the likelihood of rainy days fluctuates wildly throughout the year. From March 28 to November 8 (the wetter season), there is a greater than 44% chance that any given day will be rainy. In Umuahia, September has an average of 25.0 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, making it the month with the most wet days. Between November 8 and March 28, or 4.6 months,

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480-524: Is finally channelled to consumers through trade between wholesalers and retailers, caterers, etc. The characteristics of wholesale markets have changed considerably as retailing changes in response to urban growth, the increasing role of supermarkets and increased consumer spending capacity. These changes may require responses in the way in which traditional wholesale markets are organized and managed. Retail marketing systems in western countries have broadly evolved from traditional street markets through to

520-613: Is generally regarded as the cradle of Umuahia civilization. It was known for the Egwu festival celebrated at Omaegwu. Umuopara later became known for the Ekpe festival which is also celebrated by Ibeku and Ohuhu clans in Umuahia. The first ever Ekpe festival took place in Ogbodiukwu Umuopara . The new Yam festival is also celebrated in Umuopara. The supreme deity in Umuopara during pre-colonial times

560-571: Is only a short dry season. The climate here is classified as Am, by the Köppen-Geiger system. In Umuahia, the average annual temperature is 26.0 °C. Precipitation here averages 2153 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in December, with an average of 15 mm. Most precipitation falls in September, with an average of 322 mm. At an average temperature of 27.5 °C, March is the hottest month of

600-555: Is the dry season. With an average of just 1.4 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, January is the month with the fewest wet days in Umuahia. Extreme seasonal variations in monthly rainfall are common in Umuahia. From February 1 to December 12 there are 10 months of rain, with a median 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. With an average rainfall of 10.6 inches, September is the wettest month in Umuahia. The year's dry spell lasts from December 12 to February 1 for 1.7 months. With an average rainfall of just 0.3 inches, January

640-765: Is the maintenance of order outside the market. Licensed traders in a market will not be willing to cooperate in raising standards if they face competition from unlicensed operators outside who do not pay any of the costs involved in providing a proper service. Efficient market information can be shown to have positive benefits for farmers and traders. Up-to-date information on prices and other market factors enables farmers to negotiate with traders and also facilitates spatial distribution of products from rural areas to towns and between markets. Most governments in developing countries have tried to provide market information services to farmers, but these have tended to experience problems of sustainability. Moreover, even when they function,

680-416: Is the month with the least amount of rain in Umuahia. 5°32′N 07°29′E  /  5.533°N 7.483°E  / 5.533; 7.483 Agricultural marketing Agricultural marketing covers the services involved in moving an agricultural product from the farm to the consumer . These services involve the planning, organizing, directing and handling of agricultural produce in such

720-532: The Umuopara , Ibeku , Olokoro , Ubakala and Ohuhu communities. According to popular legend, the name Umuahia derives from the Igbo word AmaAhia or "Ama Ahia", which means "market place or market center", respectively. The British , who arrived the region and annexed it sometime around the mid-to late 19th century, upon learning the name, mistakenly pronounced and spelled it as "Umuahia". Other legends exist regarding

760-687: The United Kingdom, support for marketing of some commodities was provided before and after the Second World War by boards such as the Milk Marketing Board and the Egg Marketing Board . These boards were closed down in the 1970s. As a colonial power, Britain established marketing boards in many countries, particularly in Africa. Some continue to exist although many were closed at the time of

800-461: The busy market center, with many roads leading to it. However, the name Ama Ahia was not the town's name; rather it was located in a place called Afor Ibeji, near Olokoro Town. With increasing British administrative and commercial activities in the region and yonder, Umuahia, as it came to be known and written, was relocated to Ibeku Town for better oversight by administrative offices and the convergence of roads at Ibeku. The new location became one of

840-462: The efficiency of the market, increase the costs of doing business and retard the development of a competitive private sector. Poor support institutions, such as agricultural extension services, municipalities that operate markets inefficiently and inadequate export promotion bodies, can be particularly damaging. Poor roads increase the cost of doing business, reduce payments to farmers and increase prices to consumers. Finally, corruption can increase

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880-563: The first capital, Enugu was captured by Nigerian troops. On April 22, 1969 Umuahia was occupied and nearly taken by Nigerian troops but were forced to retreat, due to a stiff offensive by Biafran Maj. E.A. Eutuk. After Umuahia's capture on 24 December 1969, the last Biafran capital before its dissolution became Owerri . Formerly known as Ikwuano/Umuahia Local government council until the Babangida-led government divided it into two LGAs—Ikwuano LGA and Umuahia LGA in 1991—and then later in 1996,

920-554: The former Umuahia Local Government Area was split by Abacha-led government into two local governments: Umuahia North and Umuahia South. The first executive chairman of the old Umuahia local government area is Chief Chibiko Ukanwoke, elected in December 1991. There are two LGAs in Umuahia, namely; Umuahia North and Umuahia South. Both LGAs are made up of Clans, and villages in turn, made up the Clans. The South has three major clans, namely – Ubakala, Olokoro, and Umuopara (until 1949, Umuopara

960-663: The introduction of structural adjustment measures in the 1990s. Several developing countries have established government-sponsored marketing or agribusiness units. South Africa, for example, started the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), as a response to the deregulation of the agriculture industry and closure of marketing boards in the country. India has the long-established National Institute of Agricultural Marketing . These are primarily research and policy organizations, but other agencies provide facilitating services for marketing channels, such as

1000-462: The longer run, the internet may become an effective way of delivering information to farmers. However, problems associated with the cost and accuracy of data collection still remain to be addressed. Even when they have access to market information, farmers often require assistance in interpreting that information. For example, the market price quoted on the radio may refer to a wholesale selling price and farmers may have difficulty in translating this into

1040-539: The major trading posts along the rail route built by the United African Company (UAC) for carting produce, raw materials, and minerals along the trade route from Sub-Sahara to the Atlantic Ocean, for onward exportation to Europe. The trading post was named Umuahia-Ibeku Station to reflect the new market square and domain. Over time, the area became known as Umuahia, while the original market town at Afor Ibeji

1080-497: The modern hypermarket or out-of-town shopping center. In developing countries, there remains scope to improve agricultural marketing by constructing new retail markets, despite the growth of supermarkets, although municipalities often view markets primarily as sources of revenue rather than infrastructure requiring development. Effective regulation of markets is essential. Inside a market, both hygiene rules and revenue collection activities have to be enforced. Of equal importance, however,

1120-481: The origin of Umuahia, but the foregoing version seems most probable by consensus. In precolonial times, it served as one of the central marketplaces in the region for commerce. Given its serenity and proximity to other towns, such as Ohafia, Abiriba, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu, Obowo, Ngwa, Okigwi, Uzuakoli, Bende, Nnewi, Akwa Akpa (Old Calabar), and Kalabari, merchants of produce, pottery, crafts, textile, traditional medicine, palm wine, and tools travelled from afar, to trade at

1160-562: The past, efforts were made to develop government-run marketing bodies but these have tended to become less prominent over the years. Efficient marketing infrastructure such as wholesale , retail and assembly markets and storage facilities is essential for cost-effective marketing, to minimize post-harvest losses and to reduce health risks. Markets play an important role in rural development , income generation, food security , and developing rural-market linkages. Experience shows that planners need to be aware of how to design markets that meet

1200-401: The people of Umuopara came from Obowu and Mbaise areas. According to oral traditions Eku was the ancestor of the people of Umuopara. Eku had two sons namely Opara who became the founder of Umuopara and Ibe who founded Ibeku . Omaegwu in Umuopara was his first point of settlement. As the first son Opara remained while Ibe moved east. Nkwoegwu in present-day Ohuhu clan was a meeting point for

1240-898: The provision of infrastructure, market information and documentation support. Examples from the Caribbean include the National Agricultural Marketing Development Corporation, in Trinidad and Tobago and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation in Guyana . New marketing linkages between agribusiness , large retailers and farmers are gradually being developed, e.g. through contract farming , group marketing and other forms of collective action . Donors and NGOs are paying increasing attention to ways of promoting direct linkages between farmers and buyers within

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1280-440: The service provided is often insufficient to allow commercial decisions to be made because of time lags between data collection and dissemination. Modern communications technologies open up the possibility for market information services to improve information delivery through SMS on cell phones and the rapid growth of FM radio stations in many developing countries offers the possibility of more localised information services. In

1320-703: The transaction costs faced by those in the marketing chain. Most governments have at some stage made efforts to promote agricultural marketing improvements. In the United States the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is a division of USDA and has programs that provide testing, support standardization and grading and offer market news services. AMS oversees marketing agreements and orders research and promotion programs. It also purchases commodities for federal food programs. USDA also provides support to agricultural marketing work at various universities. In

1360-507: The two brothers during the annual Egwu festival. This was before later migrations from Obowu area by the Ohuhu people . Some sons of Ibe later moved further east to establish Abam, Ohafia and Edda. Meanwhile, The traditions of origin of the Umuopara people are like those of most other Igbo Societies with diverse views on how the people came to be. These views usually seem contradictory and conflicting with regard to one epical father fathering all of

1400-403: The year, with the sky remaining clear, mostly clear, or partly overcast 41% of the time. Around February 10 through November 24, there is a 9.4-month period of increased cloud cover. In Umuahia, April is the month with the most clouds , with the sky being overcast or mostly cloudy 85% of the time on average. A day that has at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation

1440-402: The year. In August, the average temperature is 24.5 °C. It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year. The annual seasonal variation in the average percentage of sky covered by clouds in Umuahia is quite pronounced. Around November 24 marks the start of Umuahia's clearer season, which lasts for 2.6 months and ends around February 10. In Umuahia, December is the clearest month of

1480-539: Was Ojam. Most of the modern-day residents are Christians , predominantly Methodist and Anglican . Assemblies of God is the foremost Pentecostal denomination in Nigeria. It began in Umuahia and is gaining ground in Umuopara. Several beliefs describe the origin of Umuopara people. One view is that the Umuopara people did not migrate from anywhere. Some villages in Umuopara today trace their origin to places outside Umuopara. It has been suggested that at least sections of

1520-528: Was part of Ohuhu). Some of the communities/villages in Umuahia South constitute what is known as Old Umuahia. The Local Government council Headquarters is located at Apumiri in Ubakala . The North consists of Ibeku and Ohuhu . Its Local Government council Headquarters is located at Ibeku . Umuahia's climate is classified as tropical. During most months of the year, there is significant rainfall in Umuahia. There

1560-405: Was renamed to Old Umuahia. The hyphenated Umuahia-Ibeku became a source of dispute, given that neighboring towns such as Ohuhu, Umuopara, Afugiri, Ofeme, etc., were constituted into the Umuahia administrative area, entitling them to be under Umuahia, not Umuahia – Ibeku, since Ibeku is on the same level as the constituent parts of Umuahia. Umuahia, though comprising several villages and communities,

1600-905: Was reportedly used by over 100,000 farmers in its first year of operation. Esoko in West Africa attempts to subsidize the cost of such services to farmers by charging access to a more advanced feature set of mobile-based tools to businesses. Farmers frequently consider marketing as being their major problem. However, while they are able to identify such problems as poor prices, lack of transport and high post-harvest losses, they are often poorly equipped to identify potential solutions. Successful marketing requires learning new skills, new techniques and new ways of obtaining information. Extension officers working with ministries of agriculture or NGOs are often well-trained in agricultural production techniques but usually lack knowledge of marketing or post-harvest handling. Agricultural marketing needs to be conducted within

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