Demand analysis for consumer preference of cowpea attributes in Niger State, Nigeria:

Abstract

The study investigated the Demand analysis for consumer preference of cowpea attributes in Niger State, Nigeria. The study employed a multistage stratified and systematic ransom sampling to select market and respondents for the study. Markets selected were Kontagora market in (production region), Sabon wuse market in Tafa (transitory region) and Minna market in (consumption region). Time series data for the price quality information ere obtained from respondents in these markets. Cowpea samples purchased every month from five (5) systematically, randomly selected retailers in each market for 12 months. Data were analysed using the Hedonic model. Findings from the study revealed that consumers were willing to pay a premium for additional unit of grain weight at N0.96; rough testa at N40.64 and white eye color at N21.42 and N11.90 from different markets estimated. On the other hand consumers were ready to discount prices for bruchid/insect hole damage at N1.00, white testa color in Kontagora market at N17.73; N40.90 in Sabon wuse market and N46.66 in Minna market. Recommendations from this study included the need or the provision of better storage media such as the triple hermatic storage sack to market participants to reduce the number of insect infested beans. Most preferred qualities of cowpea such as grain weight, rough testa texture and white eye color should be disseminated to breeders of cowpea to come up with varieties encompassing these qualities.