Preferences and Willingness to Use Insect-Based Livestock Feed Among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya

Abstract

Limited access to good quality and adequate feeds presents a severe constraint to livestock production across developing countries. To address this challenge, researchers, policymakers and practitioners are encouraging the use of non-conventional feed sources rich in protein. Insects have been promoted as an alternative source of protein to feed livestock. However, its production and utilization are still limited among sub-Saharan African feed manufacturers and livestock producers. Understanding smallholder livestock farmers' preferences and uptake of alternative feed sources is necessary to inform policymakers and feed manufacturers in scaling up and commercializing insect-based livestock feed. The study characterized the livestock feed systems. It also assessed farmers' willingness to use insect-based livestock feed and their preferences for livestock feed attributes. The study was carried out in three agro-ecological zones in Murang'a County in Kenya. The study used a multistage sampling design to draw a random sample of 378 respondents. A structured questionnaire, a choice experiment tool, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the feed systems. A hetprobit model was used to assess farmers' willingness to use insect-based livestock feed. While a mixed logit model was used to assess farmers’ preferences for livestock feed attributes. The study results indicated that the common feed types utilized in the dairy systems were nappier grass, crop residues and concentrate feeds. However, the protein concentrates were utilized by a small proportion of farmers. Significant challenges to dairy farming were high cost and unreliable quality of commercial concentrate feeds and limited access to good quality forage during the dry season. Results of the hetprobit model revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, age, access to extension service, herd size and wealth status were positively associated with farmers' willingness to use insect-based feed. While farming experience and gender (being a male-headed household) negatively influenced farmers’ willingness to use insect-based feed. The mixed logit results revealed farmers' positive preferences for lower-priced and branded feed products, and the potential of feed products to increase milk yield. In contrast, farmers had negative preferences for source of energy from cassava and source of protein from insects. The model analysis further indicated that household size, income and group membership significantly determined farmers’ preferences for livestock feed attributes. The study concluded that the sampled dairy farmers were interested in the uptake of insects as an alternative source of livestock feed. The study recommends training to farmers on the benefits of using insect-based feed in livestock production; provision of incentives to minimize feed costs and improve feed quality for livestock farmers; need to strengthen service providers such as extension, and build capacity of farmer groups to facilitate mass training and information access on the utilization of insect-based feeds.