Influence of socio-economics on consumer acceptability of Bee brood (Apis mellifera) as an alternative source of protein for improved food security

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Research Paper 10/11/2022
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Influence of socio-economics on consumer acceptability of Bee brood (Apis mellifera) as an alternative source of protein for improved food security

Kenneth Otieno Owuor, Christopher Gor, Mary A. Orinda
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.21( 5), 58-66, November 2022.
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Abstract

Bee keeping improves livelihood of rural communities due to its low capital requirement and low technical knowhow. Currently, bee brood is removed by beekeepers as part of a strategy to lower the population of the destructive mite (Varroa destructor) and is disposed of to keep the hive healthy and avoid colony collapse. The study aimed at investigating the influence of socio-economics on consumer acceptability of bee brood (Apis mellifera) as human food. The Theory of Planned behavior of planning that predicts deliberate behavior was used. The target population was 2415 and the sample size was 343 respondents. Stratified and simple random sampling was adopted in five counties along Lake Victoria region of Kenya namely: Busia, Homabay, Migori, Kisumu and Siaya. Descriptive research design using questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used. Data was analyzed and presented using thematic analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS. Mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics including multiple regression and correlation analysis were used. The results showed that Occupational characteristics (M=3.44, S. D=1.17, p=0.034), Taste, aroma and texture (M=4.05, S. D=0.96, p=0.000), Consumer characteristics (M=3.84, S. D=0.91, p=0.000), Sensory analysis (M=3.63, S. D=1.05, p=0.003), market (M=3.63, S. D=1.27, p=0.001) and finance access (M=3.73, S. D=1.26, p=0.000) factors were significant. The results for Pearson correlation indicated that socio-economic factors (r=0.163 p=0.006) had significant statistical influence on acceptability of bee brood. The study recommended that production, value addition and market information concerning bee brood be availed as an innovation to stakeholders to improve bee brood acceptability as contribution to sustainable development goals.

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