Consumer perception and attitude towards grasshopper as an alternative source of protein in Katsina state Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess consumer perception and attitude towards grasshopper as an alternative source of protein in Katsina State Nigeria. A pilot study was conducted using fifty questionnaires covering the three senatorial zones to ensure clarity and ease of understanding of the questionnaire by the respondents. All lapses observed were addressed before the production of the final questionnaire. The Cronbach’s alpha based on standardized items used for the pilot testing was found to be 0.887. A random sampling procedure was used to select a total of 600 respondents from the three senatorial zones in the state. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaires to obtain information on consumer’s perception on grasshopper consumption in relation to economy, nutrition, health and environmental factors. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings show 87.9 % of the respondents consume grasshopper, they also consider it a suitable diet for humans (72.2%) with no substantial risk to human health (66.9%). The study concludes that insect consumption is a common practice in Katsina State and therefore recommends public awareness creation and public education on the health and nutritional benefits of grasshoppers and other edible insects to mankind and the establishment of insect farming training centres across the state. It was also recommended that the concentrations of heavy metals and other possible contaminants that can be obtained from the environment should be regularly assessed in order to ensure that they are within the acceptable limits.