ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD’S CONSUMPTION PATTERN AND PREFERENCE FOR COWPEA-BASED FOODS IN CENTRAL ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the households’ consumption pattern and preference for cowpea-based foods in Central zone of Bauchi state, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 140 households for this study. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics the findings revealed a mean household size and mean income of 11 persons and ₦34,461.07, respectively. The result indicated that household highly preferred Akara, moin-moin, and cowpea dumpling with mean values of 2.9, 2.3 and 2.1 which are greater than the gross mean of 2.0. This implies that the higher the mean value of cowpea products, the higher the level of preference for the cowpea products. The mean values of 1.8 and 1.5 are for cowpea porridge and cowpea soup, respectively which are less than the gross mean of 2.0. This implies that household heads moderately or slightly preferred cowpea porridge and cowpea soup. The study concluded that households highly preferred kanannado cowpea type. In addition, the most preferred cowpea product was akara. The study recommended that cowpea farmers should produce more of kanannado cowpea type through awareness by extension agents to cowpea farmers and cowpea farmers should be educated on the potentials that exist in cowpea processing and how they can seize the opportunities to increase their income.