Acceptance of black soldier fly larvae as animal feed by farmers, traders, and consumers in Zambia’s copperbelt province towns

Abstract

This study examined the factors linked to the acceptance of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as animal feed in urban centres in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to consumers, traders, and farmers in markets, butcheries, and supermarkets across seven mining towns. Using a blended analytical framework that considered the theories of planned behaviour and diffusion of innovation, we assessed how individual characteristics (age, gender, occupation, motivation), socio-cultural circumstances (location, entomophagy, language group, household composition), product attributes (price, form, taste, nutrition), and adoption strategies (sensorial, market and education, design) were linked to acceptance. A total of 678 valid responses were analysed. Overall, 88.2% ( n = 594) of respondents expressed willingness to accept BSFL-based feed. Knowledge, gender and entomophagy were the only statistically significant individual and socio-cultural factors. Product attributes were overshadowed by the concerns of the high cost of livestock feed, indicating an openness to economic and sensory considerations among the sampled respondents. Among acceptance strategies, marketing and education were identified as the most effective pathways to enhance acceptance. Our results suggest a high level of stated acceptance of BSFL as an alternative protein source for animal feed amongst the sampled population. Acceptance may depend on the alignment of product development with individual and socio-cultural preferences, which may be strengthened by targeted marketing and education. These findings provide preliminary evidence from the urban markets in the Copperbelt and may be used to inform future policy, extension, and market research aimed at integrating insect-based feeds.