Abstract
Edible insects are increasingly being considered as sustainable alternatives to fish and soybean meals in animal feed because of their high nutritional quality and environmental benefits. However, successful introduction of a new product to the market depends on the target user’s acceptance. Thus, evaluating the potential demand of insect-based feeds would provide relevant information for policy development. The present study assessed farmers’ knowledge on edible insects as feed, their acceptance of integrating insect meals in animal feeds and willingness to pay (WTP) for insect-based feed (IBF) using a contingent valuation method. A household survey was conducted among 957 randomly selected farmers including: 409 poultry, 241 fish and 307 pig farmers in four counties in Kenya. Results of the study reveal that over 70 and 80% of poultry and fish farmers, respectively, are aware that insects can be used as a feed ingredient. In addition, over 60 and 75% of poultry and fish farmers, respectively, consider insects as a good component of feed. Poultry, pig and fish farmers interviewed accepted and showed willingness to pay for IBF. Regression analysis indicated that age, gender, education, marital status, distance to feed trader, awareness of insects as feed, attitude towards insects, acceptance of insect species, availability of agricultural inputs, use of commercial feeds, availability of training and market information had a significant influence on the WTP for IBF. Therefore, increased extension services to educate famers on the nutritional benefits of insect meals in animal feeds and existing market opportunities are expected to improve farmers’ attitude towards utilization and consequently enhance WTP for IBF, which in return would significantly reduce the existing pressure on conventional fishmeal feed resources. Our findings provide the first insights into the market opportunities of including insect meals in the animal feed value chain in Kenya.
Highlights
In livestock and aquaculture production, feed is the most important input, representing 60– 70% and 40–80% of total cost of production, respectively [1,2,3]
The present study aims to provide the first insights into farmers’ knowledge on the use of insects as ingredients in animal feed and the potential demand for insect-based feed (IBF) for fish and livestock using household level data in major poultry, fish and pig producing counties of Kenya
Farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for IBF and prices that farmers were willing to offer per unit of IBF, availability of market and financial institutions were assessed
Summary
In livestock and aquaculture production, feed is the most important input, representing 60– 70% and 40–80% of total cost of production, respectively [1,2,3]. Feed production requires high resource inputs and the current food-feed competition as well as overfishing represent major sustainability issues that need viable solutions. Global demand of feed is increasing and projection by 2050 revealed that over a billion tonnes of cereals will be required in animal feed as opposed to about eight hundred million tonnes currently used. The livestock sector, including poultry and pig production among other livestock species contributes about 42% of the Kenya’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 12% of the national GDP, 30% of total marketed agricultural products and employs about 50% of the agricultural sector labour force [9,10]. Feed costs alone represent up to 80% of total costs of production [12]. Several factors including lack of market information, low levels of extension services and inadequate availability of quality and affordable feeds prevent the sector from realizing its full potential [15, 16]
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