Perception of Abidjan District Poultry Farmers Regarding the Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae in Poultry Feed

In the face of rapid population growth in Côte d'Ivoire, the demand for animal protein is increasing significantly for both human and animal consumption. In this context, it is essential to identify sustainable protein alternatives to meet the growing market demand and consumer expectations. One such alternative that is gaining increasing interest in poultry farming is the use of insects—particularly fly larvae—as a replacement for or supplement to traditional poultry feed. However, the adoption of this practice by poultry farmers largely depends on their perceptions and level of awareness. This study aimed to assess changes in the perceptions of poultry farmers in the Abidjan district regarding the use of maggots in poultry feed. To this end, the opinions of 362 poultry farmers from the communes of Yopougon, Port-Bouët, and Abobo, as well as the towns of Bingerville and Anyama, were collected. The results showed that all the farmers surveyed were familiar with fly maggots. However, only 2.21% actually used them in their poultry feed. Among those who had heard of the practice, 37.7% discovered it through social media, while 62.3% learned about it via training sessions organized by promoters. Following an awareness campaign, 92.94% of farmers who were initially non-users expressed support for incorporating maggots into their animals' feed. Only 7.06% remained hesitant. In conclusion, the majority of poultry farmers are open to using maggots as an alternative protein source. Additional training and awareness-raising initiatives appear essential to promote broader and more sustainable adoption of this practice.