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

This study examined the factors influencing acceptance of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as animal feed in Zambia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to consumers, traders, and farmers in markets, butcheries, and supermarkets across seven mining towns of Zambia. 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) influenced acceptance. A total of 678 valid responses were analysed. Overall, 88.2% (n = 594) of respondents expressed willingness to accept BSFL-based feed. Acceptance was strongly associated with all individual characteristics, except age, and with all socio-cultural circumstances save for household size and head. All product attributes significantly affected acceptance, highlighting the importance of both economic and sensory considerations. Among adoption strategies, marketing and education were identified as the most effective pathways to enhance uptake. The results highlight the potential of using BSFL as an alternative protein source for animal feed in densely populated regions of Zambia. Consumer acceptability may depend on the alignment of product development with socio-cultural preferences, which should be strengthened by targeted marketing and education. Addressing quality and safety issues will be essential for scaling adoption. These findings provide evidence to guide policy, extension, and private-sector initiatives aimed at integrating insect-based diets in sub-Saharan Africa.