Consumer preference for quality protein maize in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state, Nigeria

Food security remains an issue of major concern in Africa. There is continuous occurrence of chronic malnutrition among significant portion of the world’s population which is a reflection that millions of people still lack reliable access to sufficient quantity and quality food. This study therefore assessed the determinants of consumer’s preference for quality protein maize (QPM) in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state, Nigeria. It also determined the level of awareness of QPM awareness among consumers, and identified major constraints of preference for quality protein maize. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 115 maize consumer from which data were collected with administration of a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics tools were employed for the analysis of data. The findings revealed that approximately 49% and 51% were male and female respectively, with mean age of 41.8 years, approximately 83% of the respondents were married, 72% had maize business as their major source of occupation while 28% as minor occupation. About 67.8% of the maize consumers were aware of QPM while about 31.4% were unaware of QPM. Age, Taste, knowledge of source, and educational level were positively significant factors influencing consumers’ preference for QPM. The major constraints identified were satisfaction, inadequate supply, income and cost. Thus, this study recommends increase in production and promotion of QPM in order to improve the food security status of consumers. More importantly, government and Agric-based NGO’s should encourage, support and conduct campaign on awareness of QPM varieties among smallholder farmers for adoption.