Consumer attitudes towards edible insects in Ghana

NICHOLAS GANYO AMENUKU

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Edible insects are considered a healthier and more sustainable meat substitutes and protein source. Many studies have been conducted to determine factors influencing consumer behaviour towards edible insects’ consumption among consumers worldwide. However, no study has been conducted in Ghana to examine factors influencing edible insects’ consumption in Ghana while Ghana has a long history of consuming insects. In this study, we examined consumer attitudes towards edible insects’ consumption with focus on respondents from Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Sampled size was 329 respondents through purposive and snowball sampling technique using questionnaires survey. Descriptive statistics and Probit model were used to examine factors influencing insects’ consumption by the respondents in Accra Metropolitan district. The study indicated majority of respondents were familiar with entomophagy and had favourable perception towards edible insects. The most preferred species were palm weevil, termites, and ground crickets. The most significant socio-economic factors of the respondents influencing consumption of edible insects were identified, particularly age and household size of the respondents had significant influence on consumption of edible insects by the respondents. Whiles gender, Household income and price were not statistically significant to influence consumption of edible insects. Edible insects play a crucial role in food security in Ghana as it serves as an important source of rich nutrients and efficient in feed conversation, greenhouse gas emissions, water, and soil use.

Keywords

Consumer behaviour, Entomophagy, Food security, Questionnaire survey

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 22. 4. 2022

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedúci: Ing. Petra Chaloupková, Ph.D. dr. h. c.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / odbor:
Tropical Agriculture / International Development and Agricultural Economics