PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND TRAIT PREFERENCES OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY IN SELCTED AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF UGANDA

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae production is one of Uganda's fastest-growing insect value chains, with the potential to lift 4.53 million people over the poverty line and provide annual employment to up to 563,302 people. This study aimed to enhance the BSF value chain by characterizing black soldier fly production practices, identifying the preferred traits of black soldier fly larvae, and examining the factors influencing the productivity of these larvae in selected Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of Uganda. The findings are intended to inform the design and implementation of a breeding program focused on improving the production of black soldier fly larvae. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which BSF farmer-households (n=83) from three agro-ecological zones (AEZs), including North-Eastern Savannah Grasslands (ESG), Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC), and Western Savannah Grassland (WSG), were interviewed using a questionnaire with semi-structured and structured questions. The main production objectives and traits preferred for potential genetic improvement were identified using ranking approaches with a Likert scale ranging from 1 (not important) to 5 (most important). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data on socio-demographic information, production practices, morphometric traits sampled, and production challenges. The chi-square test examined the association between demographics and other characteristics of farmers with the production objectives, practices, and preferred BSF traits. Lastly, a linear regression model was used to determine factors affecting the yield of black soldier fly larvae produced. Results indicate that the main production objective for BSF farming was to feed farmers' own livestock, mostly poultry. Males