| dc.description.abstract | Rising demand for high value protein is expected to double by 2050. To meet the new
demand, conventional livestock may prove expensive and unsustainable, calling for
research on alternative sources of protein, hence a switch to affordable and
environmentally acceptable protein sources. Previously, Alate termites have been
considered as a potential source protein and household income. However, information
on utilization and how commercialization impacts livelihoods at household level is
largely anecdotal and sparse. This study sought to partly fill this knowledge gap by
assessing the capacity of households on collection, consumption,and commercialization of the alate termite. The research was a cross-sectional survey
designed to target a population of 64,752 households in Vihiga County. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 204 households obtained through multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive and exploratory statistics were applied to summarize the results, while multivariable regression models were used to predict the likelihood of termite utilization in improving household income and food security. Our results suggest a strong association between the respondent’s socio economic status and capacity to utilize alates, including willingness to consume, knowledge of utilization purposes and rate of commercialization. Availability of alate termites influenced their role in alleviating hunger through household income diversification and food security index (p=0.045). The average retail price per kilogram KES 500, compared favourably to the price of goat meat, which retailed in region. The average price per kilogram increases from collectors to wholesale traders and to retailers. The trade was dominated by women and characterized by wholesalers who buy the alates from collectors and sell to retailers. There was a significant influence of decision on utilization purposes on the supply benefits derived from alate termites. The main challenge to alate termite commercialization were seasonality and missing links in high-rate value addition sector. Likewise, cumulative impacts of over exploitation, unsustainable harvesting methods and land transformation could threaten this enterprise. Therefore, possibility of value addition should be promoted to enhance the shelf life and improve the market value. The study recommends training of the mass on sustainable harvesting methods to minimize species extinction | en_US |
