| dc.description.abstract | Increased demand for animal protein has motivated the search for more efficient livestock
production systems. In recent years, there has been growing interest to incorporate insect
meal as an alternative source of protein to fish/soybean meal in chicken feed for improved
nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits. Black soldier fly (BSF) larval-based
feeds have been shown to increase broiler production in a cost-effective manner. However,
poultry consumers perception towards the consumption of meat from broilers fed diet
integrated with BSF-based meal have received limited research attention. This study
evaluated consumer perceptions and their willingness to pay for broiler chicken fed on black
soldier fly. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 3rd March 2022 to
17th March 2022 in a cross-sectional research design across four parishes with each parish
having 25 respondents. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS). More than half of the respondents were male. Three quarters of the respondents were
married and majority were Anglicans. The age of the respondents ranged from 20 to 62 years
with an average of 38.3 years. The average number of years spent in school was 10.2 years.
More than half of the respondents were household heads. The average household size was
about 8 people. The monthly income ranged from Uganda shillings 150,000 to 2,000,000,
with an average of Uganda shillings 486,241.38. Majority of the respondents were self-
employed. Almost all respondents had chicken as part of their diet, with broilers taking as the
main type of chicken taken. Chicken was being eaten 4 to 5 times a month with majority of
purchases made during the festive days. Majority of the chicken was obtained from chicken
sales outlet, with most of the purchases made by parents. On average, a person ate 2 pieces
per occasion. A live bird was the major form in which chicken was purchased. Price was the
major factor considered before purchasing chicken. Majority of the respondents did not mind
were the broilers were raised from. Majority of the respondents had limited to no knowledge
of broiler feeds, yet many thought it was important to know. Less than half of respondents
were aware about Black Soldier Fly and its use in animal diets. A large number of the
respondents liked to eat broiler chicken fed on BSF if presented to them and were willing to
purchase. Number of years spent at school significantly increased the consumer willingness
to pay, whereas household size significantly reduced consumer‘s willingness to pay for BSF-
based broiler meat. The price for this kind of chicken ranged from Uganda shillings 5,000 to
30,000 with an average of 11,296.3. Broiler chicken fed on black soldier fly is recommended to
be sold in areas with low number of people belonging to seventh day Adventists, target
households for married people and people of about 38 years, should be sold through chicken
sales outlets, offered to customers in form of live birds, the optimal price should Uganda
shillings 11,300, there should more sensitization of the people of using black soldier fly in
animal feeds and lastly, a similar study to be carried out in the same study place for at least
two more times. | en_US |
