Consumer preference for cowpea in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Consumers are faced with a lot of options as to which variety of cowpea to purchase given availability of a wide range of varieties from which to make choice. This study therefore examined the consumer preferences for cowpea, described the pattern of cowpea price overtime; and determined the factors responsible for variation in price of cowpea. analytical techniques used in this study include descriptive statistics, and least significant difference (LSD). The primary data were collected through a structured from 120 respondents and secondary data was used to determine the factors for variation in prices of cowpea. The study revealed that consumers prefer that is of medium size, red in colour, very sweet in taste and a shelf-life of at least month. It also showed that the most preferred cowpea variety by the consumers is the variety (honey beans) due to its sweetness. It was also disclosed that prices of both red and the white cowpea prices falls in October-November and rises around May-June. secondary data used showed that variety, location and seasons are factors responsible variation in price of cowpea. It was therefore recommended that there should be awareness to marketers on what the consumers want and that agronomists should up with new hybrids that have some desirable characteristics such as reduced cooking, high palatability and medium size grains.

Keywords: Cowpea; Least Significant Difference; Likert Scale; Honey beans; Consumers