Farmers’ acceptance of insects as an alternative protein source in poultry feeds

Sebatta, Christopher; Ssepuuya, Geoffrey; Sikahwa, E.; Mugisha, Johnny; Diiro, Gracious; Sengendo, May; Fuuna, P.; Fiaboe, Komi K. M.; Nakimbugwe, Dorothy

doi:10.3329/ijarit.v8i2.40553

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…High literacy levels facilitate the search, access and comprehension of new and existing information. Educated farmers perceive market research as a critical component to safeguard against economic losses experienced during distress sales [54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmers’ Perceptions of Commercial Insect-Based Feed for Sustainable Livestock Production in Kenya

et al. 2021

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The utilization of insect-based feeds (IBF) as an alternative protein source is increasingly gaining momentum worldwide owing to recent concerns over the impact of food systems on the environment. However, its large-scale adoption will depend on farmers’ acceptance of its key qualities. This study evaluates farmer’s perceptions of commercial IBF products and assesses the factors that would influence its adoption. It employs principal component analysis (PCA) to develop perception indices that are subsequently used in multiple regression analysis of survey data collected from a sample of 310 farmers. Over 90% of the farmers were ready and willing to use IBF. The PCA identified feed performance, social acceptability of the use of insects in feed formulation, feed versatility and marketability of livestock products reared on IBF as the key attributes that would inform farmers’ purchase decisions. Awareness of IBF attributes, group membership, off-farm income, wealth status and education significantly influenced farmers’ perceptions of IBF. Interventions such as experimental demonstrations that increase farmers’ technical knowledge on the productivity of livestock fed on IBF are crucial to reducing farmers’ uncertainties towards acceptability of IBF. Public partnerships with resource-endowed farmers and farmer groups are recommended to improve knowledge sharing on IBF.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmers’ Perceptions of Commercial Insect-Based Feed for Sustainable Livestock Production in Kenya

et al. 2021

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“…Edible insects are among the environmentally-friendly sources of proteins [ 85 ]. The adoption of insects as food or feed, if they can be produced in sustainable quantities, can increase consumer acceptance of insects as an alternative source of protein [ 86 ]; for instance, free-range chickens consume insects such as termites, grasshoppers, and many others. The integration of insects as poultry feed in commercial diets is still being adopted and this source of protein has not yet been fully integrated into commercial feeds [ 86 ].…”

Section: Consumers’ Attitude Towards the Use Of Insects As Food Or Feedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The adoption of insects as food or feed, if they can be produced in sustainable quantities, can increase consumer acceptance of insects as an alternative source of protein [ 86 ]; for instance, free-range chickens consume insects such as termites, grasshoppers, and many others. The integration of insects as poultry feed in commercial diets is still being adopted and this source of protein has not yet been fully integrated into commercial feeds [ 86 ]. Edible insects are being promoted as an alternative source of protein; however, the major challenge will be creating sustainable production systems that will safeguard the environment and ensure food safety and security [ 13 ].…”

Section: Consumers’ Attitude Towards the Use Of Insects As Food Or Feedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insects’ Production, Consumption, Policy, and Sustainability: What Have We Learned from the Indigenous Knowledge Systems?

Selaledi

Hassan

Manyelo

et al. 2021

Insects

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Edible insects can be produced sustainably, with less environmental impact than other forms of livestock. Globally, over 2000 edible insect species have been reported and are regarded as a great source of nutrition, both as food and feed. Over the years, rural people have used indigenous knowledge to either store or process such insects. However, such valuable knowledge, if not properly recorded and documented, can easily be lost. Thus, there is a need to strike a balance between the use of indigenous and scientific knowledge to produce and process these delicacies. In addition, such indigenous knowledge is vital for preserving biodiversity, since insects are good indicators of climate change as it influences their development, reproduction, and survival. Therefore, successful and sustainable solutions may lie in bringing back indigenous knowledge systems.

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“…Several works of literature have proven that yellow mealworm has the potential to be used as an alternative source of protein in animal diets [12][13][14][15][16][17], although other insects such as cockroaches, termites, crickets, earthworms, grasshoppers and black soldier flies can be included in animal feeds [18][19][20][21][22][23]. Most of the insects are harvested from the wild using traditional methods which are unsustainable [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consumers in Belgium were reported to be willing to accept the use of insects as poultry feeds [28]. In Uganda it was found that feed traders, processors and poultry farmers were willing to accept insects as an alternative source of protein in poultry diets [18]. In addition, insects such as grasshoppers, cockroaches, termites and white ants were most preferred by poultry farmers to rear and use for feeding poultry [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acceptability of yellow mealworm as chicken feed: a case study of small-scale farmers in South Africa

2021

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Background Small-scale poultry farming plays a major role as a source of income for farmers through the sale of birds and eggs. Furthermore, in households’ poultry products are a valuable source of protein in the diet—especially in low-income communities. However, these farmers are facing a challenge with the rising cost of conventional feed. Climate change and global warming play a role in changing farming activities and affecting household food security. Therefore, replacing traditional ingredients with insects in chicken diets is gaining popularity worldwide. The purpose of this study was to assess the willingness of small-scale poultry farmers to adopt the use of yellow mealworm in diets for chickens. A total number of 107 farmers in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality were selected using snowball sampling and were interviewed face to face using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that 72% of respondents, the majority of whom were male, were willing to adopt mealworm as poultry feed. About 51% of the participants were willing to eat chicken that was reared using mealworms, even though 85% had not seen mealworms before. Furthermore, it was found that farmers who used mixed corn and who had secondary education were more willing to adopt mealworms as an alternative protein source in chicken feed. Conclusion Small-scale poultry farmers in Tshwane accept the use of mealworm as chicken feed. It is recommended that the early adopters of mealworms as poultry feed be profiled so that communication strategies can be developed to deal with the fears and attitudes of farmers who are not willing to adopt mealworms as poultry feed. Since the majority of the farmers who are willing to adopt mealworm had secondary education, it would be beneficial if small-scale poultry farmers are educated about the benefits of using yellow mealworm as a substitute in poultry feed.

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Farmers’ acceptance of insects as an alternative protein source in poultry feeds

Cited by 17 publications

References 17 publications

Farmers’ Perceptions of Commercial Insect-Based Feed for Sustainable Livestock Production in Kenya

Farmers’ Perceptions of Commercial Insect-Based Feed for Sustainable Livestock Production in Kenya

Insects’ Production, Consumption, Policy, and Sustainability: What Have We Learned from the Indigenous Knowledge Systems?

The acceptability of yellow mealworm as chicken feed: a case study of small-scale farmers in South Africa

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