Perception and awareness of insects as an alternative protein source among fish farmers and fish feed traders

The perception of key players in the fish farming sector towards the use of insects is important for their acceptance to adopt insects as an alternative protein source to the expensive fish meal. Perception was established through a cross-sectional study of 208 fish farmers and 71 fish feed traders and/or processors conducted in Gulu, Tororo and Masaka districts in Uganda, using descriptive, Chi-square, correlation and factor statistical analysis of the data collected. Males dominated the fish farming and fish feed trading and/or processing enterprises. Youths were involved to almost the same extent as adults. Fish farmers majorly practiced pond fish farming, mainly using vegetable and grain based feeds. Most fish farmers (94.9%) and feed traders or processors (91.5%) were willing to use insects for feed but only 44.8% of fish farmers and 8.6% of feed traders and processors had ever used insects. All insects ever used by the respondents for feeding fish, including white ants, grasshoppers, termites and cockroaches were not reared but harvested from the environment. Willingness to use (rear/buy/sell) insects as fish feed was significantly and positively correlated with farmers’ and fish feed traders’ and/or processors’ perception that insects were good sources of nourishment for fish. Familiarity with use of insects and knowledge/awareness of their use significantly contributed to respondents’ positive perception. The apparent willingness to use insects for feeding fish should be promoted by encouraging mass insect production. Assessment of the consumer’s acceptability of fish reared on insects is necessary to ensure market for insect-fed fish.