FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN AMONG CASSAVA FARMING HOUSEHOLDS

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the food consumption pattern of cassava farming households in Ovia north-East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristic of cassava farming; estimate the food expenditure of cassava farming households; estimate the income level and income elasticity of cassava farming households; examine factors affecting the demand for the most food preferred and identify the constraints affecting households consumption need. A two stage sampling procedure was used for a simple random selection of six (6) communities and a purposive selection of twenty (20) cassava farming households in the study area. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire designed in line with the objectives of the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores as well as inferential statistics such as income elasticity of demand and logit regression. Results shows that majority (76.67%) of the cassava farming households were male and married (76.67%) with most (75%) of the farmers having household size of 3-6 persons. Cassava farming households spend majorly on purchasing carbohydrates (mean=₦20,728.81) and spend least amount on soft drinks/beverages (mean=₦1,352.83). Households earn majority of their income from off-farm sources 11 (mean=₦798,299.9) and earned the least from pensions (mean=₦240,000). Most preferred food was fish (mean=2.900) and the least was custard (mean=1.317). The major challenges facing the respondents in their household consumption needs were low income (mean=3.825), high price (mean=3.725), lack of finance (mean=3.625), low produce (mean=3.608), poor quality (mean=2.917), poor packaging (mean=2.833), high transport costs (mean=3.183), lack of knowledge (mean=3.033), lack of nutrition education (mean=3.133), the presence of foreign products (mean=2.700), ill health (mean=3.692) and taste (mean=3.625).