Abstract
Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae production is one of the fastest-growing insect value chains
in Uganda, with potential to lift 4.53 million people over the poverty line and provide annual
employment to up to 563,302 people. To contribute to the development of the BSF value
chain, this study sought to examine the nature of farmers and management processes as
well as constraints faced in BSF production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which
BSF farmer-households (n=83) from three AEZs (North-Eastern Savannah Grasslands, Lake
Victoria Crescent and Western Savannah Grassland) were interviewed using a questionnaire
with semi-structured and structured questions. The main purpose of producing BSF and
larvae trait preferred were ranked using Likert scale ranging from 1(not important) to 5 (most
important). Association between demographic and other characteristics of farmers with
purpose of production and traits preferred were examined using chi-square test. In addition,
the constraints faced by farmers were ranked. Sixty percent (60%) of the farmers interviewed
were in the Lake Victoria crescent. Farmers participating in BSF production were mostly male
(68%), slightly over 50% were youth (age 18-35), mostly educated to tertiary level (74%),
trained in BSF production (78%) and produced less than 100kg/week of fresh larvae (75%).
Majority of the farmers used the vertical rearing system (69%) compared to the horizontal
rearing system (21%), 5 percent practicing both two systems and 5% practiced none, sourced
starting material from fellow farmers (59%), and raised both flies and larvae (82%). Among the
many reasons for rearing BSF, “feed for own livestock” was ranked highest (Mean rank=4.25)
followed by income, while the most preferred larvae trait was larvae girth (Mean rank= 4.47)
followed by length (mean rank=4.4). The source, availability and importance of substrates
used in feeding larvae differed among the AEZs. Up to 57% of farmers in the different AEZs
purchased substrates off-farm, and (76%) preferred shredded substrate. Whereas, in all the
three AEZs market waste (39 percent), followed by brewer waste (18 percent) was mentioned
as most preferred substrates. Common harvesting methods included sieving (51%) and
manual picking (36%). The inadequate supply of substrate was the most noted constraint
(21%) followed by weather fluctuation (16%) and market and marketing BSF products (15%).
In summary, youth represent a major part of BSF farmers, but most of these farmers are not
well distributed across the country and are still producing at a low rate primarily because of
inadequate supply of substrate. Therefore, to improve BSF production, initiatives to increase
the size of larvae, or provide larvae with larger sizes, and increase diversity substrates should
be prioritized and should target the youth.
in Uganda, with potential to lift 4.53 million people over the poverty line and provide annual
employment to up to 563,302 people. To contribute to the development of the BSF value
chain, this study sought to examine the nature of farmers and management processes as
well as constraints faced in BSF production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which
BSF farmer-households (n=83) from three AEZs (North-Eastern Savannah Grasslands, Lake
Victoria Crescent and Western Savannah Grassland) were interviewed using a questionnaire
with semi-structured and structured questions. The main purpose of producing BSF and
larvae trait preferred were ranked using Likert scale ranging from 1(not important) to 5 (most
important). Association between demographic and other characteristics of farmers with
purpose of production and traits preferred were examined using chi-square test. In addition,
the constraints faced by farmers were ranked. Sixty percent (60%) of the farmers interviewed
were in the Lake Victoria crescent. Farmers participating in BSF production were mostly male
(68%), slightly over 50% were youth (age 18-35), mostly educated to tertiary level (74%),
trained in BSF production (78%) and produced less than 100kg/week of fresh larvae (75%).
Majority of the farmers used the vertical rearing system (69%) compared to the horizontal
rearing system (21%), 5 percent practicing both two systems and 5% practiced none, sourced
starting material from fellow farmers (59%), and raised both flies and larvae (82%). Among the
many reasons for rearing BSF, “feed for own livestock” was ranked highest (Mean rank=4.25)
followed by income, while the most preferred larvae trait was larvae girth (Mean rank= 4.47)
followed by length (mean rank=4.4). The source, availability and importance of substrates
used in feeding larvae differed among the AEZs. Up to 57% of farmers in the different AEZs
purchased substrates off-farm, and (76%) preferred shredded substrate. Whereas, in all the
three AEZs market waste (39 percent), followed by brewer waste (18 percent) was mentioned
as most preferred substrates. Common harvesting methods included sieving (51%) and
manual picking (36%). The inadequate supply of substrate was the most noted constraint
(21%) followed by weather fluctuation (16%) and market and marketing BSF products (15%).
In summary, youth represent a major part of BSF farmers, but most of these farmers are not
well distributed across the country and are still producing at a low rate primarily because of
inadequate supply of substrate. Therefore, to improve BSF production, initiatives to increase
the size of larvae, or provide larvae with larger sizes, and increase diversity substrates should
be prioritized and should target the youth.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | 2024 |
| Antal sider | 27 |
| Status | Udgivet - 2024 |
| Begivenhed | Insects for the Green Economy: Sustainable Food Systems and Livelihoods in Africa - The African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya Varighed: 28 feb. 2024 → 29 feb. 2024 |
Konference
| Konference | Insects for the Green Economy: Sustainable Food Systems and Livelihoods in Africa |
|---|---|
| Lokation | The African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) |
| Land/Område | Kenya |
| By | Nairobi |
| Periode | 28/02/2024 → 29/02/2024 |