Consumer Demand for Broiler Chicken: A Panacea for Meat Needs in Hidden Hunger Situations in Kaduna Metropolis of Kaduna State, Nigeria.

The objective of this study was to analyze consumer demand for broiler chicken meat as solution for meat needs in solving nutrition problem associated with hidden hunger in Kaduna metropolis of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Primary data was gathered with structured questionnaire from thirty (30) Broiler Chicken consumers and subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis using Ordinary least Square (OLS) multiple regression tool. The findings showed responsive broiler chicken meat consumption across income categories positively increasing with their monthly expenditure on chicken broiler meat for reasons ranging from palatability to availability. The own price elasticity of broiler was perfectly inelastic while the income elasticity of demand for broiler meat was elastic. The value of cross price elasticity of demand for broiler meat with frozen fish indicated a strong degree of competitiveness and substitutability. It is the recommendation of this study that Kaduna State government should implement policies and programs geared towards reducing the cost of broiler meat for consumers living in Kaduna metropolis to stimulate consumption of broiler meat (white meat)as to enjoy food nutrient security and banish hidden hunger in the state.