| dc.description.abstract | This thesis examines the functions of rural markets
in a section of Kenya - Kisumu District. It describes
and analysis the sellers' and buyers behavior. It
also describes the economic significance of these rural
markets. The author hopes that such an/analysis and
description will bring to record the important aspects
typical of a rural market, and how its trade can be improved
for the benefit of traders and consumers who
interact in these rural markets. Out of the 107 markets in the district, 10 were
randomly selected for the purpose of the study. The ten
markets were then stratified into two groups, buyers and
sellers, from which samples were drawn. A total of 586
successful interviews were carried out. As for data
•collection, this was done through interview from /
structured questionnaires, direct observation and census
counts. By interviewing the traders and consumers it
was possible to collect information on consumer behavior
and trader characteristics. Three basic items have been
examined in this study; First, the functional role of
markets has been discussed. It was found the markets
act as Economic Institutions as well as social
institutions. As economic institutions, markets can be
classified as Retail markets, Wholesale markets are both
Wholesale and retail.
Markets also act as a social gathering venue where young men and women usually meet for courtship
and village elders meet to discuss their homestead
problems. Therefore, markets serve multifunctional
roles. They are both an economic and social institutions
where relatives and friends meet and gossip in
a relaxed atmosphere.
The second feature analysis is the market
traders' and consumers 'behavior the study
revealed that there are two types of sellers - part
time sellers who indicated that market selling was
secondary to their main occupation and full time sellers
who are professional traders. The part time trader
usually visits one or two markets which are nearer to his
homestead while the professional visits as many as
four or three markets in a week. The professional trader
earns his income through the market trade.
On the ether hand for consumers the study revealed
that Buyers are net willing to travel to many markets to
buy. That is consumers tent to visit the home market to
purchase foodstuffs. However, they visit other distant
markets to purchase manufacture'. Goods such as Clothes,
plates and furniture •
.Third, it also describes the economic significance
of these markets mainly in terms of cash generated from
them employment offered, and their role as communication
center's.Sellers interviewed stated that they value the
market because it is a Source of cash which they can use
to pay school fees, buy clothing and food'. Markets
also offer self employment to ,unemployed.
Various hypothesis were also tested. The tests
revealed that:
(i) There is a significant relationship between
Population density of the location and the
market size.
(ii) The number of markets 1s not
related to the physical size of the
location.
iii) There is significant relationship
between the number of markets in a
location and the population of the
location.
iv) There is no significant relationship
between the assortment of goods in a
market and the distance of the market
from a major town.
v) The size of the market is related to
the level of incomes of the people in
the surrounding area.
vi) There is a significant relationship
Between the assortment of goods
displayed in the market and market
size in terms of attendance. | en |
