Bugs can help tackle food Insecurity

In recent times, the use of insects as food and feed has probably become one of the most exciting topics in entomology. While it is reported that over 2,000 species are known to be edible globally, consumption of edible insects in Kenya is gradually being embraced. 

In their recent publication on “Contribution to the knowledge of entomophagy in Africa”, Dr. Sunday Ekesi and Dr. Saliou Niassy from icipe and University of Pretoria respectively cited that the use of insects as food is being advocated for due to their high nutrient composition, high   feed conversion efficiency, organic wastes conversion, the lower requirements for land and water, lower emissions of greenhouse gases and the fact that they have a significant role to play in today’s debate surrounding food and nutritional security.

As tackling food security in Kenya and many other countries in the world continues to be a major point of focus, research emerging from various public and private sector entities has clearly demonstrated that insect-based protein can replace fish-meal and soy-meal in fish and poultry feed. Since curbing food security requires an integrated approach as there is no single solution to the challenge, the use of insects as food and feed can not only significantly contribute to reducing hunger but also stimulating enterprise development and contribute to job creation especially for youth and women.

International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), a leading insect research institution on the African continent had developed a comprehensive strategy covering all aspects of the use of insects as food and feed including aspects of inventory, mass production, nutritional profiling, storage, and safety to legislation. 

Mango Growers in Machakos and Makueni Exploring Foreign Markets

Machakos, Kenya – Mango farmers in Makueni and Machakos counties have taken their marketing a notch higher by venturing into foreign fruit markets. This is as a result of good harvests being experienced by farmers in those regions. The good harvests have been attributed to the adoption of the effective and environmental friendly Fruit Fly Integrated Pest Management technology developed by the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and being implemented in the region by the help of the Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADSE). 

This has enabled the farmers to harvest mangoes with little or no fruit fly infestations and are also able to meet the international markets’ maximum residue level requirements. Speaking during an Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Program (IBCARP) training on Taxonomy, Monitoring and Management of Fruit Flies organized by ADSE involving agricultural extension officers held in Masii Machakos County on 10^th and 11^th March, 2016, Mr. Mwangi, the county deputy director of agriculture-crops stated that the agricultural stake holders in the county are engaging more farmers to adopt good agricultural practices which include the Fruit Fly IPM technology in order to achieve maximum economic value of mangoes in the region.

Citing the example of Makueni growers’ cooperative, which is doing well in regional markets as well as foreign markets in Dubai, He stated that the farmers are now exploring the markets in China and Russia. “We need to extend these success stories to Machakos and other areas in the region”, he said.  Mr. Mwangi further stated that plans are underway to increase mango value chain in order to boost farmers’ income from the crop. The demand for Fruit Fly IPM materials is on the rise as more farmers are adopting the technology hence there’s need to upscale the project activities.