PREFERENCES FOR SNAIL MEAT AND CONSTRAINTS AFFECTING ITS CONSUMPTION IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the preferred species of the snail to consume by the residents and constraints affecting its consumption in Ekiti State. A consumer survey was conducted in all 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. Ten respondents were selected each from the administrative headquarters of all the sixteen local government respectively making a total of 160 respondents selected for this study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages were used to describe the data.. The results revealed 62.5% of the respondents preferred the Giant African Snail to other species, 2.5% preferred Tiger Snail, 5% preferred East African Giant Land Snail and 7.5% did not consume any. The main constraints to snail consumption were availability and price. The study concluded that more Nigerians prefer the Giant African Land Snail compared to other types of snail. It may be possible to increase snail consumption if constraints such as availability and price can be reduced. It was recommended Snail farming should be started on a small scale to experience the benefits and challenges of the raising the Giant African Land Snail