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324136

Influence of Gender Integration on The Utilization of Edible Insects for Food and Nutrition Security

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Last updated: 24 Dec 2024

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Abstract

In Western Kenya, insects have historically been consumed more as a delicacy than a primary nutritional source. With the growing popularity of Entomophagy as an alternative protein and the challenges posed by climate change and declining food production, there is a renewed interest in edible insects as a sustainable and efficient protein solution. Notably, there are prevailing gendered views on insect consumption in these communities. For instance, while women and children have embraced this delicacy, many adult males have reservations. This study delved into gender dynamics around the consumption and production of edible insects, with a focus on Bungoma County a region with a longstanding tradition of insect consumption. Given the scant literature on this subject, the research aimed to deepen the understanding of how gender roles, knowledge levels, and decision-making power influence the use of insects for nutrition and food security. Data was collected from 384 Bungoma farming households, constituting 78% of the county's farming demographic, using questionnaires, interviews, and purposive sampling techniques. Descriptive, Chi-square test of associations and the Kruskal-Wallis H test were used in quantitative analysis whose findings were presented in tables and figures. Thematic coding was applied in analysis of qualitative data. Key findings revealed that gender had no significant influence on utilization of edible insects for food and nutrition security (H (1) = 2.726, P=0.099). Gender-based decision making was found to have significant influence on the utilization of edible insects for food and nutrition security (H (2) = 6.821, P=0.033). Gender-based knowledge was also found to significantly influence the utilization of edible insects for food and nutrition security (H (1) = 3.963, P= 0.047). The study's findings underscore the need for community awareness programs to alter perceptions of insects as mere complements to diets. To bolster this, counties should ensure accessible nutritional information and prioritization of gender-inclusive approaches in promoting entomophagy.

DOI

10.21608/eajbsa.2023.324136

Keywords

Gender Dynamics, edible insects, Bungoma County, Kenya, Food security, gender integration, Sustainability, utilization

Authors

First Name

Nabiswa

Last Name

N.

MiddleName

D.

Affiliation

Department of Plant, Animal and Food Sciences, School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 201-40601, Bondo, Kenya.

Email

nabiswa.mscthesis@gmail.com

City

NAIROBI

Orcid

0009-0003-1052-4449

First Name

Ouma,

Last Name

M.

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Agricultural Economics and Agri-Business Management, School of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 201-40601, Bondo, Kenya.

Email

-

City

Kenya

Orcid

-

First Name

Onyango,

Last Name

M.

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Management and Economics, School of Business and Economics. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 201-40601, Bondo, Kenya.

Email

-

City

Kenya

Orcid

-

Volume

16

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

44190

Issue Date

2023-12-01

Receive Date

2023-09-21

Publish Date

2023-11-06

Page Start

11

Page End

24

Print ISSN

1687-8809

Online ISSN

2090-0813

Link

https://eajbsa.journals.ekb.eg/article_324136.html

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https://eajbsa.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=324136

Order

324,136

Type

Original Article

Type Code

667

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology

Publication Link

https://eajbsa.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Influence of Gender Integration on The Utilization of Edible Insects for Food and Nutrition Security

Details

Type

Article

Created At

24 Dec 2024