Determination of fish value added product- preferences among the residents of Wote Town, Makueni county, Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted during a fish eating campaign to determine the preference of fish and fish value added products in Makueni County. The data is important for advising fish farmers, traders, processors and policy makers in the aquaculture value chain. The data was obtained by randomly administering questionnaires to respondents who were served with the fish products. A total of 60 questionnaires were administered. The average quantity of fish consumed by a household was 0.74±0. 6 Kg/ market visit. Nile Tilapia was the most preferred fish species (74%) compared to Nile perch (10%), African catfish (5%) and other species at 3%. Farmed fish contributed 43%, fish from L .Victoria 40% while fish from other sources contributed 8% of the total fish supplied in the County. A number of the respondents (9%) were not sure of the sources of fish. Consumers who were eating fish once a week were 48.8%, bi-weekly 20.9%, monthly 18.6% and the occasional fish consumers at 7.0%. The number of consumers eating fish daily was the least at 4.7%. Fish samosa was the most preferred of the value added products (45%) compared to fingers and balls (10% respectively). About 92.7% were willing to incorporate value added products in their diet while 7.3% were not. The main reason for fish consumption was for health benefits (37%) compared to taste (32%), easy to cook (14%) and availability (12%). Age was the only factor that showed a relationship with the quantity of fish purchased. Fried form of fish was the most preferred compared to smoked and dried forms. It is recommended that consumption of African catfish to be promoted in the county since it is viable for production.