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Effect of Extension Training on Farmers’ Adoption of Black Soldier Fly Production for Farm Waste Management

Abstract

Black soldier fly production is an emerging agricultural waste management practice that involves rearing black soldier fly larvae to convert suitable organic farm waste into useful products such as insect biomass and frass. The practice can support the reduction of organic waste accumulation while providing opportunities for producing alternative animal feed and organic soil amendments. Extension training can provide farmers with the knowledge and practical skills required to establish, manage, and maintain black soldier fly production systems as part of sustainable farm waste management. This study will examine the effect of extension training on farmers’ adoption of black soldier fly production for farm waste management. The study will assess farmers’ exposure to extension training, determine their level of awareness and adoption of black soldier fly production practices, and examine the influence of extension training on farmers’ decisions to use the technology for managing farm waste. It will also identify challenges that may limit farmers’ adoption and continued use of black soldier fly production. The study will focus on farmers’ knowledge and adoption of black soldier fly breeding, selection of suitable organic waste materials, preparation of feed substrates, larval management, moisture and temperature control, harvesting, processing, hygiene, and maintenance of production units. It will also examine farmers’ use of black soldier fly larvae for feed purposes and frass for soil improvement, as well as their practices for collecting, sorting, and utilizing suitable farm waste for insect production. Extension meetings, practical demonstrations, farm visits, and training sessions will also be considered. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from farmers using structured questionnaires designed to obtain information on extension training, knowledge, awareness, and adoption of black soldier fly production practices. The data will be analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine the relationship between extension training and farmers’ adoption of black soldier fly production for farm waste management. The study is expected to reveal that farmers who receive regular and practical extension training may demonstrate higher levels of adoption of black soldier fly production practices. Training and demonstrations may improve farmers’ understanding of suitable waste substrates, larval management, hygiene, harvesting, and utilization of insect-based products. However, limited technical knowledge, inadequate production facilities, availability of suitable waste materials, start-up costs, market uncertainties, and limited extension support may constrain adoption. The study will be useful to farmers, agricultural extension agents, livestock and aquaculture producers, agricultural development agencies, waste management organisations, environmental organisations, farmers’ associations, policymakers, and agricultural researchers. The findings may provide useful information for strengthening extension programmes that promote innovative farm waste management, alternative feed production, organic fertilizer generation, resource recycling, and sustainable agricultural enterprises. The study concludes that extension training can contribute to improving farmers’ adoption of black soldier fly production as an approach to farm waste management. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen practical demonstrations, hands-on training, farm visits, and farmer group activities on black soldier fly production and waste utilization. Farmers should also receive technical guidance on safe waste selection, larval management, hygiene, harvesting, product utilization, and production-unit maintenance to support effective and sustainable adoption.

Keywords: Extension training, black soldier fly, farmers’ adoption, farm waste management, organic waste, insect production, agricultural extension, larvae production, waste recycling, alternative feed, organic fertilizer, frass, sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, agricultural waste management.