Bush Meat Marketing Practices and Opportunities in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria: A Case Study within the Context of Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems

Abstract

This study delves into the dynamics of bush meat marketing in the environs of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, within the framework of traditional and indigenous food systems. The investigation addresses pertinent research questions and examines formulated hypotheses with a significance level set at 0.05. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study engaged a sample of one hundred bush meat sellers, selected at random from three pivotal markets in Abeokuta: Iberekodo, Kuto, and Lafenwa. The selection process followed a purposive sampling approach, with 30 respondents each from Iberekodo and Kuto, and 40 from Lafenwa, the largest market among the three. Data collection employed a self-structured questionnaire, tailored to extract insightful responses related to the study's focal variables. Analysis of data involved the use of simple percentages, tabulation, and Student's t-test statistics, applied to test the formulated hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Key findings highlight the presence of an active bush meat trade in and around Abeokuta, illustrating the engagement of local communities in this traditional practice.