Mushroom consumption pattern among residents of Ibadan Metropolis in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the consumption of mushroom among the residents of Ibadan metropolis in Oyo State Nigeria. A two-stage random sampling procedure was used to select a total of 250 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the selected respondents. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used in analyzing the data. The results showed that majority (66%) of the respondents were within the age range 31-60 years. The majority (68.8%) of the respondents were married and possessed tertiary education (52%). Most (87.2%) of the respondents ate mushrooms but 50.8% of the respondents ate mushroom occasionally. Majority (70%) of the respondents indicated that mushroom was not readily available. Most (84%) of them preferred mushroom to other sources of protein. Nutritive value (1st) and organoleptic characteristics (2nd) were the main reasons for consuming mushroom. The regression analysis showed that age (t = 2.099, p = 0.031), educational level (t = 2.310, p = 0.015), monthly income (t = 5.037, p = 0.000), household size (t = 4.260, p=0.001), mushroom availability (t = 2.740, p=0.000) and awareness of benefits of mushroom (t = 2.710, p=0.000) significantly predicted its consumption. The major constraints to mushroom consumption in the study area included seasonal production (92.0%), poor shelf life (76.0%), and financial constraints (58.8%). Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends that for all-year-round availability, mushroom farming on the domestication should be encouraged. Intensified training and awareness campaign should be provided to the populace on domestication of mushroom by the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.