The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and frass in agriculture can make an important contribution to food and nutrition security. However, it is important to understand whether consumers are willing to consume food products resulting from the use of BSF larvae as animal feed or BSF frass as fertilizer. This study employed the stated preference approach as food products produced using BSF larvae and frass are not currently available on the market. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 4412 consumers in Ghana (1360), Mali (1603), and Niger (1449). The results show that the vast majority of respondents are willing to consume vegetables (88%) produced using BSF frass and meat (87%) produced using animal feed made of BSF larvae. A smaller percentage of respondents are even willing to pay USD 1.32 and USD 1.7 more if the base price of BSF-based products were USD 5 per kg. Age, gender, education, and country positively influenced the respondents’ willingness to consume food produced using BSF products. In contrast, neighborhood status, income, and household size are inversely related to the respondents’ willingness to pay for and consume these products. Our findings are, therefore, important to scaling up BSF technologies in the region.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172825

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Shiferaw Felekehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0759-4070

Victor Manyonghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2477-7132

Tahirou Abdoulayehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8072-1363

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172825

Social Science and Agribusiness

Agribusiness; Food Security; Livelihoods; Pests of Plants; Soil Fertility

Black Soldier Fly; Solid Wastes; Organic Fertilizers; Food Security; West Africa

Africa; West Africa

Ghana; Mali; Niger

Eastern Africa Hub; Headquarters and Western Africa Hub

Foods