DETERMINANTS OF VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN ONITSHA METROPOLIS OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined determinants of vegetable consumption among households in Onitsha metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 80 respondents drawn from four (4) zones in the municipality of Onitsha. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean and multiple regression analysis. Result showed that the age of the respondents, marital status, home distance to market and total monthly income had a positive significant (P≤0.05) influence on the level of vegetable consumption. The perishable nature of vegetable, seasonality of the product, high cost of vegetable and taste were factors that militate against vegetable consumption. These constraints notwithstanding, vegetable is consumed both on-season and off-season but with less consumption during off-season due its high price. It was recommended that vegetable farmers should organize themselves in cooperative groups in order to provide machines that can process vegetables into forms that can be stored to reduce post-harvest losses as well as making vegetables almost available in all seasons.