Abstract
Cassava is one of the important root and tuber crops grown for food in West and Central Africa. This paper examines the determinants of demand for cassava, and ascertains its future in northern Nigeria by estimating the elasticity of demand for cassava and other root and tuber crops. The Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model was employed to estimate the parameters. Results show that demand for cassava is price-inelastic. The expenditure elasticity is found to be positive, though inelastic. This witnesses the transformation of cassava from an inferior food to a necessity. Because of its storability and ease of processing, gari, the processed form of cassava, is becoming the most popular form in which cassava is consumed. Cassava, often regarded as a poor man's food with low nutritional value, is an excellent source of dietary energy, and as such it should not be considered solely a subsistence crop.
Abstract
Le manioc est une des tubercules les importantes parmi celles cultivées pour l'alimentation en Afrique de l'ouest et du centre. L'article s'intéresse aux déterminants de la demande de manioc et aux perspectives pour cette culture dans le nord du Nigeria en estimant l'élasticité de la demande de manioc et d'autres racines et tubercules. Le modèle « Système de demande pratiquement idéal » (AIDS) a été utilisé pour estimer les paramètres. Les résultats montrent que la demande de manioc est inélastique par rapport aux prix. L'élasticité par rapport aux dépenses est positive bien que faible. Ceci témoigne de l'évolution du manioc, de bien inférieur à celui de première nécessité. Grâce à ses qualités de conservation, le gari, la forme transformée du manioc, est devenue très populaire. Ce produit qui constitue une excellente source d'énergie alimentaire ne devrait donc pas être seulement considéré comme une culture de subsistance ou la nourriture du pauvre.
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Notes
Naira is the official currency of Nigeria.
These were supposed to be eight in total, but for some logistic and technical problems, only six of them were implemented. No specific two rounds were dropped out. The study used data from two rounds only.
1US Dollar (USD)=110 Nigerian naira (official exchange rate on March 2001).
The ‘seven times’ is a reciprocal of the 13.6 per cent ratio of cassava to yam.
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Tsegai, D., Kormawa, P. The Determinants of Urban Households' Demand for Cassava and Cassava Products in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria: An Application of the AIDS Model. Eur J Dev Res 21, 435–447 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/ejdr.2009.15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/ejdr.2009.15