CONSUMPTION PATTERN OF SWEET POTATO AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the consumption pattern of sweet potato among rural households in Owerri Zone, Imo State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 72 rural households. Data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics of rural household heads; perceived benefits of consumption of sweet potato; rate, level and quantity of consumption of sweet potato; constraints in consumer’s consumption of sweet potato. Percentages, frequency, mean and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that 58.33% of the respondents were female, mean age was 41.0 years, 36.1% had tertiary education, 50% major occupation were farming, average years of farming experience were 8.4 years, majority (68.1%) did not belong to the cooperative association, majority (80.6%) had no contact with the extension agent, mean household size was 7 persons, average monthly income of farmers was N 49, 572. The major perceived reasons for consumption of sweet potato were identified as that sweet potato is easier to cook (x̄ = 3.43), its sweetness, odor, and taste (x̄ = 3.14). The daily consumption of sweet potato products was majorly as boiled (70.8%), monthly consumption as flour (31.9%). Major constraints in the consumption of sweet potatoes were also identified, such as: lack of adequate storage (75.0%), perishability (73.6%) or too bulky to handle (66.7%). The regression analysis revealed that age, sex, income, farming experience, educational level, membership of cooperative significantly contributed to level of consumption of sweet potato with the value of R²(0.737), F-Ratio value (16.097) statistically significant at 1% level of probability. Policies should be aimed at increasing development of infrastructures by providing good access road that will ensure safety of sweet potato to the farmers, reducing the rate of perishability of the crop and thereby reduce the cost of sweet potato.