Sensory Evaluation and Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Quality Protein Maize (QPM) using Experimental Auctions in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability of quality protein maize (QPM) in rural Tanzania. Due to the malnutrition problem facing consumers in developing countries, QPM which has almost double the amount of tryptophan and lysine, has been identified as a possible solution to this problem. To know whether consumers will accept QPM, it is vital that its sensory attributes and consumer acceptance tests are carried out. Sensory characteristics were determined using home use testing and central location methods by use of stiff porridge. Three districts were visited and 120 consumers participated in home use testing, whereas 30 respondents participated in the central location testing. At the central location, triangle test was also undertaken to find out if a difference exists between QPM and conventional maize. Additionally, acceptability of QPM was tested using BDM method. Consumer characteristics of QPM were highly appreciated for stiff porridge, a major maize product in East Africa. This was observed both in home use and sensory location testing. Likewise, consumers were willing to pay more for QPM than for conventional maize in all evaluation criteria used. Triangle test showed a significant difference between QPM and conventional maize. Sensory evaluation however needs to be repeated with other QPM varieties to ensure that it is not only a specific QPM variety that has favourable consumer characteristics