Analysis of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina Marginata) Consumers in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the socio-economic characteristics of Snail consumers in Plateau State, Nigeria. Data were obtained using questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 120 respondents. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 66% of the respondents were within the most productive age bracket of 31-50 years, with a mean age of 40 years. About 69% of the respondents were male, with 74% married. An average household size of 5 persons was recorded, and 86% of the respondents had one form of education or the other. In addition, 56% of the respondents were civil servants with an average monthly income of ₦69,250 and expenditure of ₦4,050 on Snail. Consequently, 58% of the respondents preferred Snail to other sources of animal protein. The regression results showed that 63% of the variation in Snail consumption expenditure was explained by the explanatory variables included in the model, it also indicated that average monthly income and age positively influenced Snail consumption in the study area. The constraints faced by the respondents included; poor storage, high prices and low income. Consequently, it was recommended that improved and sustainable means of storage be adopted by the respondents to enhance the shelf life of Snails.