Analysis of Household Demand for Garden Egg Leaf (Solanum aubergine) for Food Security in Owerri Metropolis Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the analysis of household demand for garden egg leaf (Solanum aubergine) for food security in Owerri Metropolis Imo State. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 300 respondents and data collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result revealed that female respondents dominated the households in Owerri and most of them were literate. Study revealed that Garden egg leaf had a monthly budget share expenditure of ₦2753.33. Oha leaf, Fluted Pumpkin and Bitter Leaf were the most preferred vegetables which ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Regression result showed that Own Price, Price of Water Leaf, Price of Fluted Pumpkin, Price of Bitter leaf, Price of Amaranthus, Monthly Income, Household Size, and Level of Education were significant at 1% and 5% and greatly influenced the demand for garden egg leaf in the study area. The own price and income elasticity was found to be -0.06 and -0.18 respectively. The cross price elasticities of water leaf and fluted pumpkin were found to be 0.10 and 0.13 while the cross price elasticities of Bitter leaf and Amaranthus were found to be -0.20 and -0.11. It was recommended that Extension agents and health workers should also help to educate and create awareness amongst households through media programmes about the nutritional benefits of consuming garden egg leaf thereby boosting consumer demand for the vegetable.