This research theme explores the adoption of insect-based innovations, focusing on understanding how scaling strategies impact the dissemination of knowledge and the adoption of insect-centric innovations. It examines the demand for these innovations and the influencing factors related to knowledge, attitude, perception, and beliefs surrounding these innovations and insects. Additionally, the research agenda investigates how aspirations, physiological, cultural, gender norms, socioeconomic, and environmental aspects shape adoption decisions. Furthermore, it examines the impact of costs, innovations attributes, and institutional factors on the willingness of smallholder farmers to adopt and pay for insect-based innovations.
- Balew, S., Bulte, E., Abro, Z., & Kassie, M. (2022). Incentivizing and nudging farmers to spread information: Experimental evidence from Ethiopia. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 1–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12346. 2.
- Kassie, M., Teklewold, H., Moti, J., Marenya, P. and Erenstein, O. (2015). Understanding the adoption of a portfolio of sustainable intensification practices in Eastern and Southern Africa. Land use Policy, 42: 400-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2014.08.016.
- Diiro, G., Kassie, M., Muriithi, B., Gathogo, N. et al. (2020). Are Individuals Willing to Pay for Community-Based Eco-Friendly Malaria Vector Control Strategies? A Case of Mosquito Larviciding Using Plant-Based Biopesticides in Kenya. Sustainability, 12, 8552; doi:10.3390/su12208552.
- Nyangau. P.N, Nzuma, J.M, Irungu, P, Kassie, M., (2021). Evaluating livestock farmers knowledge, beliefs, and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: A multivariate fractional probit approach. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15(9): e0009786. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009786.
- Chia SY, Macharia J, Diiro GM, Kassie M, Ekesi S, van Loon JJA, Dicke M, Tanga CM. (2020). Smallholder farmers' knowledge and willingness to pay for insect-based feeds in Kenya. PLoS One. 25;15(3): e0230552. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230552.
- Mulungu, K., Macharia, I., Abro, Z., Kassie, M., and Tanga, C. (forthcoming). Entomophagy in western Kenya: Consumption patterns and the role of psychological and socio-cultural factors. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed.