Evaluating stakeholders' knowledge, attitude and practices towards the use of products from black soldier fly converted biowaste in West Africa
No hay miniatura disponible
Fecha
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Resumen
Descripción
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) offers dual benefits as a sustainable protein source for animal feed and as a converter of organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, supporting climate-resilient food systems. Despite these advantages, adoption of BSF-derived products remains limited in West Africa. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of farmers and traders toward BSF-based feed and fertilizer and to identify the socio-economic determinants influencing their adoption. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2023 among 1153 respondents in Ghana (n = 252), Mali (n = 386), and Niger (n = 515) using structured questionnaires administered through computer-assisted personal interviews. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model. The findings revealed generally low awareness of BSF technologies. Although respondents recognized the insect (43%) and had seen its larvae (48%), only 10% had heard about BSF, while only 7% knew that BSF could convert biowaste into fertilizer and animal feed. Knowledge that BSF-based fertilizers could be used for vegetable cultivation and that BSF larvae could be used for poultry and fish feed was also low (6%). Attitudinal responses showed moderate acceptance, with 35% of respondents agreeing that BSF fertilizer is safe for vegetable production and 34% agreeing that BSF-based animal feed is safe for poultry and fish farming. Willingness-to-practice outcomes were comparatively higher: 38% of respondents were willing to apply BSF fertilizer, 90% were willing to learn how to produce BSF feed, and 85% expressed willingness to trade in BSF products. The SUR results showed that education significantly improved attitudes and practices among poultry and fish farmers, while frequent vegetable consumption positively influenced attitudes and practices among vegetable farmers. Respondents in Niger generally recorded lower knowledge and attitude scores compared to Ghana and Mali. Among traders, age negatively influenced knowledge and attitude, while traders who were sons or daughters of household heads showed lower knowledge and practice levels. The findings suggest that awareness creation, practical demonstrations, and targeted extension support may be important for improving understanding and acceptance of BSF-derived products in West Africa. The study provides baseline evidence to support context-specific policies and interventions aimed at promoting BSF-based innovations within sustainable agricultural and circular bioeconomy systems.
Palabras clave
biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, west africa