Preference for imported and Nigeria rice among rural households in Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the preference for imported and Nigeria rice among rural households in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the level of preference of imported and Nigerian rice, determine the factors influencing household preference of imported and Nigerian rice consumed and to identify the major constraints to the consumption of imported and Nigerian rice in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting120 respondents. Primary data were collected with the used of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings showed that the grand mean score of 2.67 and 1.60 revealed that the respondents preferred imported rice to Nigerian rice. The major constraints to rice consumption preference for Nigerian rice were presence of husk, dirt and stones (90.0%), poor quality (85.8%), broken grain (75.0%), low swelling capacity (72.50%) breakages (71.60%), lack of competition advantages (68.33%), the constraints to imported rice consumption were high cost (73.33%) and affordability of the products (62.50%). Factors that significantly influence the household consumption preference for imported and Nigerian rice were price (p<0.05), nutritional value (p<0.05), ease of preparation (p<0.01) cleanliness (p<0.01) and taste (p<0.05). The study concluded that rural dwellers still preferred imported rice to Nigerian rice. It was recommended that Nigerian rice producer should improve the quality of the rice for it to have competitive advantage over imported rice. Government should invest in Nigerian rice production by issuing loans to Nigerian rice farmers and encourage mechanization.

Consumers’ Preference for Local Rice Brands in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

“…A larger percentage (51.7%) preferred imported rice to local rice (Figure 1). This is consistent with the findings that consumers preferred imported rice to Nigerian rice in Imo State, Nigeria (Onu, 2018). In addition, a lower percentage of consumers that preferred local rice (43.…”

“…Low price of rice is one of the minor factors influencing household preference for local rice among the respondents and this is in agreement with the findings of that consumers prefer and can afford to pay for high quality imported rice in contrast to domestic rice brands which are considered to be of poor quality because they often contain dirt, stones, chaff and large quantity of broken or irregular grains and so lack competitive advantage against the imported rice brand (Abdul et al, 2017). Also, the findings of the study are similar to the findings of that consumers prefer and can afford to pay for high quality imported rice in contrast to domestic rice brands which are considered to be of poor quality because they often contain dirt, stones, chaff and large quantity of broken or irregular grains and so lack competitive advantage against the imported brand ( Abdul et al, 2017;Onu, 2018). Note: Mean importance is calculated with the values of 1 for most important and 7 for least important.…”

“…Previous studies on rice have focused on identifying the constraints to increasing domestic rice production in Nigeria while other studies have focused on explaining the growth of rice consumption (Ogundele, and Okoruwa, 2006;Adeyeye 2012;Oyinbo et al, 2013;Adeyeye et al, 2011;Alfred and Adekayode, 2014). Other studies assessed consumers' preference for local rice in rice producing areas of Nigeria (Ogundele, 2014;Onu, 2018;Ekanem et al, 2020;Ajayi and Ajiboye, 2020). Ogundele which may not represent the consumers' preference in non-rice producing areas in Nigeria, especially in urban Southwest Nigeria (Ogundele, 2014).…”

Consumers’ Perception and acceptability of Nigerian rice in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…In Nigeria, Onu (2018) reported that respondents preferred imported to local rice due to ease of preparation. In Malaysia, Abdul Latiff and Ayob (2017), identified consumers' knowledge, perception and attitude as factors influencing consumers' preference and attributed the situation to limited awareness or knowledge on domestic rice availability, and the quality characteristics.…”

Perceived Benefits of Adoption of Improved Rice Production Technologies Among Small–Scale Farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria.

“…Rice is the most commonly cultivated cereal throughout the world today. The African rice is believed to have originated from the wild rice (O. barthii) about 3500 years ago and was domesticated in the inland delta area of Nigeria from where it spread to other parts of Africa (Onu, 2018). The demand for rice in Nigeria is growing faster than any other major staple food with consumption broadening across all socio-economic classes including the poor.…”