Fufu is a popular traditional fermented wet paste food product from cassava. We examined consumer preferences and quality attributes of fufu in Abia and Imo States of SouthEast Nigeria, with special attention to gender differences, for the purpose of providing guidance to breeders. Data were analysed by the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants for the interview were randomly selected from a list of farmers in the study area. Individual (II) interviews were conducted among 80 participants comprising 26 males (32.5%) and 54 females (67.5%). Preferences along the food chain from raw roots to final product were also obtained. Major traits influencing gender-specific consumer preferences are related to appearance, texture and smell. Smoothness, not sticky, easy to swallow and drawability of fufu appear to be major traits that drive acceptance by both men and women. Big roots and smooth skin are prioritized for raw material. Some quality characteristics are conditioned largely by variety traits, while others can be modified by adjusting the processing methods. The complexity of producing high quality fufu makes it imperative to introduce a multidisciplinary approach into breeding programmes.
piggery waste management, profitability, pig farming, net profit The pig is a major component of livestock especially in Southeastern Nigeria where there are no cultural or religious inhibitions to the production and consumption of pork. The potentialities of pig as an effective provider of protein for human diet have well been recognized (Odo 2000). The relative advantages of the pig in respect of this include its high survival rate and ability to utilize a host of agro industrial bye products and crop residue (Fetuga 1997; Ter meulen and El-Hanth 1985; Twrnamasiko 2001) with little or no processing and at minimal cost (Tewe and Adesehinwa 1995). Pigs are known to be prolific producers, realizing 20-30 piglets from 2 to 3 litters per year (Adesehinwa 2003), with short generation intervals.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.