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Peer-reviewedCC BYDiscover Sustainability

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

  • Ngawo Namukonde1
  • Namaipo Mulizwa2
  • Nelly Chunda Mwango3
  • Mazuba Siamujompa1
  • Joyce Mufungwe4
  • Justine Ngoma5
  • Martha Imakando6
  • Dinah Mwanza7
  • Todd Johnson2
  • Phenny Mwaanga8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University
  2. 2Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Copperbelt University
  3. 3Department of Real Estate Studies, School of Built Environment, Copperbelt University
  4. 4Department of Animal Sciences, University of Zambia
  5. 5Department of Biomaterial Science and Technology, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University
  6. 6Department of Natural History, Livingstone Museum
  7. 7Mukuba University
  8. 8Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Mines and Mineral Sciences, Copperbelt University
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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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{namukonde2026acceptance,
  title = {{Acceptance of black soldier fly larvae as animal feed by farmers, traders, and consumers in Zambia’s copperbelt province towns}},
  author = {Ngawo Namukonde and Namaipo Mulizwa and Nelly Chunda Mwango and Mazuba Siamujompa and Joyce Mufungwe and Justine Ngoma and Martha Imakando and Dinah Mwanza and Todd Johnson and Phenny Mwaanga},
  journal = {Discover Sustainability},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1007/s43621-026-04110-y},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-04110-y},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Acceptance of black soldier fly larvae as animal feed by farmers, traders, and consumers in Zambia’s copperbelt province towns
AU  - Ngawo Namukonde
AU  - Namaipo Mulizwa
AU  - Nelly Chunda Mwango
AU  - Mazuba Siamujompa
AU  - Joyce Mufungwe
AU  - Justine Ngoma
AU  - Martha Imakando
AU  - Dinah Mwanza
AU  - Todd Johnson
AU  - Phenny Mwaanga
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - Discover Sustainability
DO  - 10.1007/s43621-026-04110-y
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-04110-y
AB  - 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.
SN  - 2662-9984
ER  -