CONSUMERS KNOWLEDGE AND CONSUMPTION MANNER OF BOILED CASSAVA ROOT SOLD IN GASHUA, YOBE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the consumers’ knowledge and consumption manner of boiled cassava root sold in Gashua, Yobe Nigeria. Well-structured questionnaire were administered to one hundred and fifty (150) people on information on their demographic characteristics and also on their knowledge about boiled cassava root. The data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistic. The results showed that majority of respondents are young people (19 – 28 years), male (70.70%), married (61.34%), University graduate (54.67%) and civil servant (72.00%). Majority of the respondents (56.00%) are not aware that cassava roots have anti-nutritional factors but also majority (65.20%) of the respondents knew that cassava roots have little nutrient contents. Majority of the respondents (54.70%) are consuming boiled cassava root as meal and they did not suffer from any ailment after eating boiled cassava root while minority (5.30%) reported that they suffered stomach ache after consuming it. However, majority (72.00%) of the respondents like eating boiled cassava root with protein based foods such as beans (53.30%), bambara nut (4.00%), pigeon pea (1.30%), eggs (6.70%), groundnut cake (4.00%) and meat (2.70%) while remaining 28.00% stated that they are addicted eating it without protein based foods. The study showed that the majority of the respondents are not aware that cassava roots contained anti-nutritional factors but they aware that it is safe to be consumed. Also, majority of the respondents knew that cassava roots have little nutrient contents but consuming it with non-protein foods, and they like to be eating it with protein based foods especially beans.