| dc.description.abstract | The study investigated the effects of agricultural extension on edible insect farming for food and feeds nutritional security among smallholder farmers in the Lake Basin Region, Kenya. The Kenyan Lake Victoria Basin presents challenges in providing sustainable food and feed sources for smallholder farmers. Insect farming has emerged as a promising solution due to its nutritional benefits and eco-friendly nature. However, there‘s a notable lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the influence of agricultural extension services on the adoption and success of insect farming in this specific region. Research in this area has not thoroughly investigated the direct impact of agricultural extension services on the promotion and enhancement of insect farming among smallholder farmers. Specifically, the study aimed at determining the influence of agricultural extension on the production of insects as food and feeds, assessed the determinants of adoption of insect farming as a source of nutritious foods and examine the role of agricultural extensions towards value addition of insects among smallholder farmers in the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. In so doing, the study probed relevant questions to establish the role of agricultural extension in the promotion of insects for food, sought to identify factors determining adoption of insect farming and the role of agricultural extension in the value addition of insects among food and feed industry players. The study adopted a descriptive survey design since it allows for collection of large amounts of data from the target population. Both primary and secondary data was collected from the respondents which included small holder farmers, extension service providers and stakeholders in the insect food farming and value addition sectors. Sample sizes of 210 respondents from a population of 443 were interviewed using questionnaires. Additional data was obtained from intermediary respondents through the use of interview guides. The data collected was analysed quantitatively using standard statistical packages to extract various information on critical aspects namely household characteristics, insect food and feed technology within households, status of food and nutritional security, status of livelihoods and challenges to improvement of food and feed nutritional security and general livelihoods. Regression analysis was run to estimate the relationships between value addition as the dependent variable and mechanization of the insect farms, rearing methods, pest and disease management, breeding technologies, marketing, consumption and other forms of utilization, credit acquisition and management and finally climate change and its effects. The study revealed that an increase in agricultural extension services correlates with a substantial rise in the promotion of insect farming; statistical findings also showcased the substantial impact of agricultural extension services on the adoption rate of insect farming, emphasizing the necessity of these services in enhancing adoption. | en |
