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

Gladys Jepchirchir Koech; Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka; Edith Gathungu; George Owuor

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijae.20230805.14

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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

Gladys Jepchirchir Koech, Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka, Edith Gathungu, George Owuor

Published in International Journal of Agricultural Economics (Volume 8, Issue 5)

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), 2024. 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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APA Style

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

Gladys Jepchirchir Koech

Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka

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

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

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

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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

Copy | Download

@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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