Give Edible Insects a Chance as an Alternative High-Quality Protein Source, say Scientists

A variety of insect-based delicacies. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people around the world eat insects as part of their regular diet. Encouraging the eating of insects could have health and climate change benefits. Credit: icipeBy Joyce ChimbiNairobi, May 6 2022 (IPS) Growing up in Samoya Village of Bungoma County in the Western part of Kenya, Elvis Wanjala has fond childhood memories of the rainy season, chasing and catching black-bellied winged termites in the rain. “The termites would also come inside the house, attracted by the light late in the evening. My mother would sun-dry the termites and pan-fry them. We would then eat the crunchy termites with ugali (posho) and a serving of traditional vegetables,” he recounts. “I grew up believing that everybody ate termites. At 11 years, I visited my uncle in Nairobi and was shocked to find that termites were more of a nuisance than food. One morning after a heavy downpour, I watched in awe as women and girls swept termites from their doorsteps and threw them in the bin.” Beatrice Karare from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries tells IPS termites, and other insects such as grasshoppers, locusts, black and white ants, and crickets are part of traditional diets in Western Kenya, but not so in other parts of the country. But with rising inflation, scientists at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) say edible insects are a low-cost alternative to more expensive foods. The Ken...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Africa Biodiversity Climate Action Climate Change Environment Featured Food and Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Food Sustainability Headlines Health Natural Resources Poverty & SDGs TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Burea Source Type: news