Protein Demand for Improved Nutrition and Food Poverty Status Among Rural and Urban Households in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The demand for proteinous food among rural and urban household in North Central Nigeria is examined by using the data from the 2018/2019 Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS) that covers 4,198 households. It utilizes descriptive statistics and the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model to investigate consumption patterns, expenditure shares, and price and income elasticities for major sources of protein consumption: pulses, meat, and fish. Findings reveal that fish is consumed the most across both rural and urban households; however, poverty, education, gender, and household size significantly affect protein consumption. Around 48% of the sampled households fall below the poverty line of ₦225 per day, with a greater incidence in rural areas. All protein sources studied were thus normal goods, with fish being a luxury item and pulses and meat as necessities. Price elasticity results indicated that all food groups are price inelastic; and cross price elasticity analysis showed substitution possibilities between protein sources. So, this calls for strategic interventions towards improved nutrition security that will include nutritional education, food subsidy, and family planning among others. The study will also provide useful insights for the policy on the path to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030.