Which of the following is NOT a function of marketing boards in Nigeria?

1. Analyze the question We are asked to find the option that is NOT a function of commodity (produce) marketing boards in Nigeria. Marketing boards were set up to handle agricultural export crops such as cocoa, groundnut, palm produce, cotton and rubber.

2. Explain the concept Nigerian marketing boards (e.g. the Cocoa Marketing Board and Groundnut Marketing Board, which began in 1947 and were later scrapped under SAP in 1986) were established mainly to:

• Buy farm produce from farmers and market it, locally and for export
• Grade and standardize produce for quality control
• Fix and stabilize producer prices, protecting farmers from price swings
• Provide storage, research and extension support to farmers
• Build up reserve funds in years of high prices

Their focus was on exporting and stabilizing the prices of locally produced crops, not on bringing farm produce in from abroad.

3. Step-by-step evaluation

• A. Grading of farm produce: This is a function. Boards graded produce to ensure quality for export.
• B. Importation of farm produce: This is not a function. Boards handled locally grown produce, mostly for export, and did not import it.
• C. Fixing of prices for farm produce: This is a function. Boards set guaranteed producer prices.
• D. Marketing of farm produce: This is a function. It was their core duty.

4. Answer The correct option is B. Importation of farm produce.

5. Exam tip Remember the keywords for marketing boards: Buy, Grade, Price, Sell (export). If an option talks about importing or producing the crops themselves, it is usually the odd one out.