CONSUMPTION PATTERN OF CASSAVA PRODUCTS BY HOUSEHOLDS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the consumption pattern of cassava products by households in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 240 respondents selected through a multistage random technique using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis and Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) were used as analytical tools. The study revealed among others that; 84.3% of the respondents were in the age bracket of 20 – 50 years. A total of 71.3% of the respondents were male and 53.3% of the respondents have tertiary education. About 42.4% of the respondents have household size of 5 – 8 and 84.2% of the respondents preferred gari to fufu (10%) and lafun (5.8%). The study also revealed that consumption of cassava products in the study area is affected by price of cassava products, price of close substitutes, household size and income of the household. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) of the regression analysis was found to be 0.5986. The result of the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) also showed that demand for fufu is elastic than the demand for gari and lafun meaning that these two products are price inelastic cassava products. Expenditure elasticities of all the cassava products were examined and were found to be less than one. The highest expenditure elasticity was found for fufu suggesting that its demand will grow faster than the demand for other products as the economy improves and household income increases. The mean budget shares for gari, lafun and fufu were found to be 85.8%, 9.8% and 4.4% respectively. The own price elasticities of all the products were found to be negative, conforming with the law of demand. All the cassava products were also found to be expenditure inelastic, suggesting that they are inferior goods in the study area. The study recommended that cassava products should be handled with hygiene in mind so that the products can be healthy and consumer attractive. It also suggested that government should formulate policies aimed at improving the welfare of consumers in the study area.