is profitable, especially for small-scale farmers, and that prices remain high, but these will decline as the industry matures. CONTEXT OF INSECT FARMING IN AFRICA History Insects are part of traditional diets in Africa. More than 400 of the 2,100 insect species recognized as edible worldwide (Jongema 2017), or nearly 25 percent, are consumed in Africa (map 3.1) (Kelemu et al. 2015). The wild harvested insect species consumed in Africa are a diverse set that includes Blattodea (cockroaches), Coleoptera (beetles and grubs), Diptera (flies), Hemiptera (true bugs), Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), Isoptera (termites), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), and Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts). Many refugees, such as Central Africans, Congolese, and South Sudanese, have experience collecting insects in their home countries. Congolese and South Sudanese refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya are experimentally farming field crickets (DanChurchAid 2020). The traditional consumption of wild harvested insects in Africa varies among countries and regions. Consuming insects has historically been a part of the food culture of many African countries affected by FCV (refer to annex 3A).1 Among African FCV countries, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe are the largest consumers of insects (Niassy and Ekesi 2017). For example, 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s population has consumed insects, with termites and mopane caterpillars being the most common (Dube et al. 2013). Insects are generally collected from the wild during peak seasons and consumed at home, with the surplus sold in local markets. The highest diversity of edible species is found in Central Africa (map 3.1). In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 85 different insect species are consumed (Kelemu et al. 2015). In other countries, the history of insect consumption varies among ethnic groups. In Kenya, coastal communities historically have consumed little or no insects (Kelemu et al. 2015), while the Luo population in western Kenya, for example, consumes insects such as termites and lake flies. That said, traditional insect harvesting is rapidly declining among younger generations (Ayieko and Oriaro 2008). African countries rarely have dietary guidelines, especially related to insects. Dietary guidelines provide guidance for healthy diets and food consumption. Although the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a knowledge base on healthy dietary guidelines, the actual issuing of guidelines is each country’s national responsibility. By 2018, only seven countries in Africa had officially launched dietary guidelines for healthy food consumption (FAO 2018). The guidelines promote diverse diets with a balanced intake of animal products, particularly fish. However, very few mention insects. Understanding Insect Farming
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