Assessment of Fish Marketing System in Dilla Town, Gedeo Zone, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in Dilla town from December to May, 2013 with the objective of assessing the fish marketing system, How markets arranged in space and time and to identify the channels and structure of marketing system. 30 respondents were selected by purposive sampling techniques. The data were collected from primary data source and analyzed by using tables graph and percentage. The market channels of fish were from Hawassa, Zeway, Chammo and Abaya fisher men to Dilla retailer, Hotel owner and owners of consumer. About 73.3 percents of the respondents transported fish carrying with their head, 23 percent of by taxi and 3.3 percent by bicycle. Market visitation patterns of consumers for fish were 66.7 percent in fasting period, 13.3 percent once a month, 10 percent twice a week, 6.7 percent of respondents once and 3.3 percent visit once and in two month. According to this study fish marketing system in Dilla town had many constrains among these, 30 percent of the respondents said that there was no fixed or permanent fish marketing place and lack of awareness, lack of transport and low price of fish compared to meat accounted 20, 16.7 and 6.7 percent respectively.  From the responses obtained 56.7 percent of the respondents preferred meat to fish, 20 percent preferred fish to meet and 23.3 percent of the respondents preferred meat and fish equally.  The trading activities of fish marketing system were 60 percent part time trading and 40 percent were full time trading activity. The result indicate that periodic markets are important than full time trading in Dilla market context, because of full time trading is not profitable.  The fish market system in Dilla town is faced with many constraints and the government should give attention to increase the supply and satisfy the needs of consumers and it will be a job opportunity for the youngsters of the town.