The Choice And Effect Of Mode Of Transportation In The Flow Of Agricultural Food Stuff In Rural Urban Flow: A Case Study Of Zaria Area

Abstract

The study determined the choice and effect of modes of transportation in rural-urban flow of Agricultural food products to Zaria urban center. The primary data were obtained for the investigation using a structured sets of questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for the investigation. The results showed that cereal crops constitute the main grains in the area for sale. The specialization in the supply of food stuff to Zaria town conforms to Von Thunen's model of concentric. Zonation. Perishable and less bulky market garden products are supplied from areas immediately surrounding the urban area while others come from location of 16km and above. The study further showed that the most single means of transportation used to transport food grains to Zaria town is motor vehicle and closely followed by motor cycle. These means of transportation are used in combination with one or the other with one being dominant at one location. Also the distance of location from Zaria town appears to be the single most important factor affecting the use of one or the other means of available transportation system. It was observed that some means of transportation are rejected at certain points (locations) because of the degree of risk. Base on this finding, the following recommendations are put forward. That urban planners should identify the pre-urban critical thresholds over which motor vehicle transport is not enough so as to extend more town city motor vehicle services to move food stuff to Zaria Town. That town planners who exist separately from rural development planners should be replaced by a common central planning authority which can handle as a united issue all aspects of development planning, including transportation, both in the urban and rural areas.

Samaru Journal of Information Studies Vol. 6 (1&2) 2006: pp. 19-27