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Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Received: 25 August 2023     Accepted: 20 September 2023     Published: 9 October 2023
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Abstract

This study evaluates the perception of smallholder chicken farmers in the utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source, and its incorporation in livestock feed systems in Kenya, with a specific case of chicken farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The study employed a survey research design covering 245 smallholder chicken farmers interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that 72.5% of the chicken farmers were aware of the benefits of incorporating BSFL in chicken feed. Principal component analysis based on perception indices revealed that social acceptability, feed performance compared to conventional protein sources, and marketability of chicken products reared on BSFL were the key attributes guiding chicken farmers' buying decisions. Awareness of BSFL attributes, education level, access to agricultural extension services, group membership, and participation in off-farm activities significantly influenced chicken farmers' perceptions of BSFL. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that interventions such as training and farm demonstrations would increase chicken farmers' technical know-how on improving the productivity of chicken reared on BSFL. Accessing agricultural extension services is essential in reducing chicken farmers' uncertainties of accepting BSFL and encouraging the uptake of this rapidly growing and emerging technology. This work adds to the current understanding of BSFL-based feeds and creates opportunities for further linkages between chicken farmers, public-private partnerships, policymakers, feed manufacturers, and consumers of chicken products.

Published in International Journal of Agricultural Economics (Volume 8, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14
Page(s) 208-216
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Black Soldier Fly Larvae-Based Feed, Farmers’ Perception, Linear Regression, Principal Component Analysis, Smallholder Chicken Farmers

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Cite This Article
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    Gladys Jepchirchir Koech, Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka, Edith Gathungu, George Owuor. (2023). Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 8(5), 208-216. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14

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    ACS Style

    Gladys Jepchirchir Koech; Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka; Edith Gathungu; George Owuor. Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Int. J. Agric. Econ. 2023, 8(5), 208-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14

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    AMA Style

    Gladys Jepchirchir Koech, Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka, Edith Gathungu, George Owuor. Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Int J Agric Econ. 2023;8(5):208-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14,
      author = {Gladys Jepchirchir Koech and Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka and Edith Gathungu and George Owuor},
      title = {Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya},
      journal = {International Journal of Agricultural Economics},
      volume = {8},
      number = {5},
      pages = {208-216},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijae.20230805.14},
      abstract = {This study evaluates the perception of smallholder chicken farmers in the utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source, and its incorporation in livestock feed systems in Kenya, with a specific case of chicken farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The study employed a survey research design covering 245 smallholder chicken farmers interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that 72.5% of the chicken farmers were aware of the benefits of incorporating BSFL in chicken feed. Principal component analysis based on perception indices revealed that social acceptability, feed performance compared to conventional protein sources, and marketability of chicken products reared on BSFL were the key attributes guiding chicken farmers' buying decisions. Awareness of BSFL attributes, education level, access to agricultural extension services, group membership, and participation in off-farm activities significantly influenced chicken farmers' perceptions of BSFL. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that interventions such as training and farm demonstrations would increase chicken farmers' technical know-how on improving the productivity of chicken reared on BSFL. Accessing agricultural extension services is essential in reducing chicken farmers' uncertainties of accepting BSFL and encouraging the uptake of this rapidly growing and emerging technology. This work adds to the current understanding of BSFL-based feeds and creates opportunities for further linkages between chicken farmers, public-private partnerships, policymakers, feed manufacturers, and consumers of chicken products.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
    AU  - Gladys Jepchirchir Koech
    AU  - Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka
    AU  - Edith Gathungu
    AU  - George Owuor
    Y1  - 2023/10/09
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14
    T2  - International Journal of Agricultural Economics
    JF  - International Journal of Agricultural Economics
    JO  - International Journal of Agricultural Economics
    SP  - 208
    EP  - 216
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-3843
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14
    AB  - This study evaluates the perception of smallholder chicken farmers in the utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source, and its incorporation in livestock feed systems in Kenya, with a specific case of chicken farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The study employed a survey research design covering 245 smallholder chicken farmers interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that 72.5% of the chicken farmers were aware of the benefits of incorporating BSFL in chicken feed. Principal component analysis based on perception indices revealed that social acceptability, feed performance compared to conventional protein sources, and marketability of chicken products reared on BSFL were the key attributes guiding chicken farmers' buying decisions. Awareness of BSFL attributes, education level, access to agricultural extension services, group membership, and participation in off-farm activities significantly influenced chicken farmers' perceptions of BSFL. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that interventions such as training and farm demonstrations would increase chicken farmers' technical know-how on improving the productivity of chicken reared on BSFL. Accessing agricultural extension services is essential in reducing chicken farmers' uncertainties of accepting BSFL and encouraging the uptake of this rapidly growing and emerging technology. This work adds to the current understanding of BSFL-based feeds and creates opportunities for further linkages between chicken farmers, public-private partnerships, policymakers, feed manufacturers, and consumers of chicken products.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

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