Wednesday March 18, 2020; 02:00 pm - 03:30 pm
IFPRI Malawi Office
Area 14/205
IFPRI Malawi invites you to a brown bag research seminar presentation by Christopher Chikowi, MSc student, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).
Topic
Consumer Choices and Demand for Tilapia in Urban Malawi: What are the complementarities and trade-offs?
Abstract
Fish demand remains poorly understood due to weak and fragmented domestic markets, particularly in Africa south of the Sahara. The development of the fisheries sector in Malawi is constrained by a limited understanding of how the choice between different fish products is affected by the socioeconomic characteristics of consumers, marketing factors and fish-specific attributes. We analyzed consumer choices and demand for processed and unprocessed Lake Malawi Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) spp. and Oreochromis shiranus using data from 584 urban consumers in Malawi’s two major cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. Regression models indicate trade-offs in choice but complementarities in demand for tilapia products. We also find that the correlates of choice are not the same as correlates of demand, which is explained by heterogenous consumer and market characteristics, and tilapia trait descriptors. Improving the tilapia value chain requires exploiting these complementarities and trade-offs and policy support to boost production. Fish breeding programs should also link breeding objectives to consumer choices and demand for fisheries’ products.
Note: This study is an output of our Bunda Grant Scheme program. The Bunda Grant Scheme program is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Data collection for this study was financially supported by AquaFish - Africa Center of Excellence at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Individuals attending this event may be audio taped, videotaped, or photographed during the course of a meeting, and by attending grant permission for their likenesses and the content of their comments, if any, to be broadcast, webcast, published, or otherwise reported or recorded. Questions? Please contact IFPRI-Lilongwe@cgiar.org
