Insect farming is emerging as a promising agricultural method for economic empowerment and sustainable food production in Africa. As small-scale farmers face significant challenges, innovative solutions like these offer a guiding light of hope for enhancing productivity and livelihoods while promoting environmental sustainability.
Read on to discover the potential of insect farming to revolutionise agricultural practices across the African continent. From its nutritional benefits to its environmental advantages and socioeconomic impacts, we explore how practices such as insect rearing can contribute to a more resilient and successful future for African farmers.
Nutritional Value of Insects
Every year, the global market for insects as food and animal feed expands. Projections suggest that by 2030, this market could reach a value of up to $8 billion, marking a 24% annual growth rate over the next decade. Approximately 2 billion people, including those in Africa, incorporate insects into their diets. Compared to other animal proteins, insects have very high nutritional values. Research indicates that insects have the potential to serve as substitutes for conventional ingredients in fish, swine, poultry, and pet food, such as soy and fishmeal. They are excellent sources of protein, zinc, fat, iron, calcium, and various nutrients like omega-3 and essential amino acids.
Environmental Benefits of Insect Farming
Insect farming contributes to the advancement of sustainable food systems and the achievement of UN development goals such as food security and climate mitigation. This practice utilises organic waste to rear insects efficiently, generating organic fertiliser like “frass” and promoting circular economies.
Moreover, it provides a cost-effective source of high-quality animal feed, potentially freeing up agricultural land for essential food crops in land-constrained regions. Beyond its economic benefits, insect husbandry contributes to mitigating climate change by reducing methane emissions from food waste and reducing the land demand for feed production, thus addressing critical global challenges while ensuring resource-efficient agriculture.
This innovative approach holds the potential to strengthen the African food system, aligning with the principles of a circular economy that can complement traditional farming practices.
The Promise of Insect Farming for Africa's Future
In addition to their primary benefits, insect farming technologies also provide cost-saving advantages for farmers by decreasing reliance on imports of food, feed, and fertilisers. With low initial investment requirements, these operations present a substantial opportunity to generate employment resilient to climate change, especially benefiting marginalised groups like women, youth, and refugees living in regions with limited resources.
According to the World Bank report currently, across 13 African countries, there are 850 insect farms, dedicated to cultivating insects for various purposes including food, animal feed, and fertilisers. Considering all the benefits associated with insect farming, such as the nutritional value of insects, environmental advantages, and minimal resource demands, expanding insect cultivation could undoubtedly lead to:
- Replacement of 60 million tons of traditional fish and soy-based animal feed
- Creation of 15 million direct and indirect jobs, fostering incomes and livelihoods along the value chain
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 18 million cars from the roads annually
Furthermore, this approach offers additional benefits:
- Enhanced sustainability of local food systems and natural resources due to minimal water requirements and the reduced need for arable land.
- Improved soil health through the application of organic fertilisers derived from insect manure (frass) generated during the farming process
- Strengthened peacebuilding efforts and resilience to fragility, conflict, and violence through the establishment of more stable and sustainable food systems, offering economic opportunities while reducing reliance on natural resources.
Insect Farming for Economic Growth and Food Security in Africa
Insect farming presents a promising opportunity, particularly for small-scale farmers in Africa. Insect husbandry has demonstrated substantial profitability and the sector has diversified rural household incomes where small-scale cricket farming has proven more profitable than other agricultural activities. Moreover, the industry has facilitated secondary income streams through consulting services and tourism, with farmers providing technical assistance and even hosting guided visits to insect farms.
However, the insect farming sector still faces challenges, particularly in terms of fluctuating prices and market stability. While demand for insects is on the rise, prices remain high and vary significantly across Africa. Insect prices are not yet competitive with other sources of animal feed protein in most countries, posing barriers to market growth and scalability. As the industry develops and production volumes increase, it is expected that insect feed prices will become more competitive and economically viable in the future, offering promising prospects for sustainable animal feed alternatives and economic development in Africa.
The empowerment of African farmers through insect farming lies in its potential to reduce poverty and enhance food security. With small-scale farmers comprising a significant portion of Africa’s agricultural workforce, the profitability and scalability of insect farming offer a pathway to economic empowerment. By providing alternative sources of income and reducing reliance on traditional agricultural practices, insect rearing can diversify livelihoods and increase resilience to economic shocks.
Moreover, the sector’s emphasis on sustainable practices and minimal resource requirements aligns with the needs of resource-constrained farmers, particularly in rural areas. As insect farming continues to gain traction, efforts to support and scale up initiatives in this sector could play a pivotal role in transforming the livelihoods of African farmers and fostering greater food sovereignty across the continent.
INCiTiS-FOOD Revolutionising Agriculture in Africa
INCiTiS-FOOD is a project funded by the EU that uses innovative agriculture approaches like aquaponics, hydroponics and insect farming. While various insects such as mealworms and crickets are bred in controlled environments, our living labs focus specifically on raising black soldier flies. These insects boast high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them suitable for direct human consumption or as feed for livestock and aquaculture.
Our project goes beyond simply deploying this sustainable and alternative method of protein production; it fosters collaboration among six African nations and aims to improve farming practices across the continent, ensuring food security in the process.
Stay updated on our journey by checking out our Newsroom.
Add a Comment