Table 3 a Farmer attributes and levels used in the choice experiment. b Traders’ attributes and levels used in the choice experiment. c Processors’ attributes and levels used in the choice experiment. d Consumers’ attributes and levels used in the choice experiment
Attribute | Levels | Preference/Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | ||
a | ||||
Yield | Low | High | Average production (in 47 kg) harvested per hectare for cultivating planting a specific groundnut variety. Most farmers prefer high yield to low yield | |
Maturity | Early | Medium | Late | The period between planting and harvesting. Early-maturing variety is mostly preferred |
Disease resistance | Resistance | Tolerant | Susceptible | The extent to which the groundnut plant can withstand, tolerate or resist all forms of diseases. Disease resistance is preferred over tolerance and susceptibility |
Ease of harvest | Easy | Difficult | Very difficult | Uprooting of the groundnut pods from the soil is tedious especially when the soil moisture is low. The level of effort in harvesting is directly proportional to the cost. Most farmers will prefer a groundnut variety that is easy to harvest |
Price | GH¢90 | GH¢130 | GH¢170 | The amount of money the farmer earns by selling 47 kg of harvested unshelled groundnut. The average market price for unshelled groundnut is GH¢130 per 47 kg |
b | ||||
Oil content | Very low | Low | High | The amount of oil per grain. Most traders prefer high to very low and low |
Size | Small | Big | The size of the grain is directly related to the quantity required to fill a bag. Traders have mixed preferences for size, though the big size is mostly preferred. Larger grains yield higher levels of meal and oil per ton of raw material | |
Debris | Clean | Not clean | Stone-free groundnut is preferred. Groundnut with stones affects the crushing and drying process and may lead to damaged equipment and the discoloration of grains | |
Grain storability | Short | Medium | Long-term | The storability measures the period for which the grains can be stored. Most of the traders prefer a groundnut variety with long duration of storage to take advantage of high price beyond harvest |
Price | GH¢90 | GH¢130 | GH¢170 | The amount of money the trader earns by selling 47 kg of harvested unshelled groundnut. The average market price for unshelled groundnut is GH¢130 per 47 kg |
c | ||||
Oil content | Very low | Low | High | The amount of oil per grain. Most traders prefer high to very low and low |
Size | Small | Big | The size of the grain is directly related to the quantity required to fill a bag. Traders have mixed preferences for size, though the big size is mostly preferred. Larger grains yield higher levels of meal and oil per ton of raw material | |
Color | Tan | Red | Brown | Tan is a preferred color among most processors. Most of the processors perceive the tan color as healthy grain and attracts buyers |
Grain storability | Short | Medium | Long-term | The storability measures the period for which the grains can be stored. Most of the processors prefer a groundnut variety with long duration of storage to ensure that the grain value is not discounted |
Price | GH¢90 | GH¢130 | GH¢170 | The amount of money the processor earns by selling 47 kg of harvested unshelled groundnut. The average market price for unshelled groundnut is GH¢130 per 47 kg |
d | ||||
Color | Very low | Low | High | Tan is a preferred color among most processors. Most of the processors perceive the tan color as healthy grain and attracts buyers |
Nutrition | Low | Medium | High | The nutrition content of a variety represents the essential plant-based source of protein and vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. Most of the consumers interviewed prefer high protein groundnut variety |
Texture | Smooth | Medium | Crunchy | The texture represents the smoothness or coarseness of the groundnut paste. The choice of the preferred texture depends on the end-use of the groundnut paste. In terms of soup preparation, most of the consumers prefer smooth paste, while the crunchy is preferred when used as bread spread |
Flavor | Sweet | Salty | Natural | The flavor represents the taste of the groundnut paste. Most consumers prefer the natural flavor for food preparation |
Price | GH¢90 | GH¢130 | GH¢170 | The amount of money the consumer spent in buying 47 kg of harvested unshelled groundnut. The average market price for unshelled groundnut is GH¢130 per 47 kg |