FAO calls for investment in growing insects for food

Beetles, caterpillars or wasps can be a source of food for billions of people around the world and for the future livestock industry. That's why the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) urges countries to invest more in growing edible insects to meet the ever-increasing food demand along with the increase in world population.

In a report on May 13, FAO evaluated "one of the many ways to deal with food insecurity and food issues as insect mass farming " because many proven insects contain many. Nutritional ingredients, rich in protein, fat and minerals.

Photo: connectnigeria.com

The report points out that insects are ubiquitous and that they are able to reproduce quickly and have a high edible rate. However, the report's authors acknowledge that until now, many consumers, especially in Western countries, still hold the prejudice that insects are dirty so they are not ready to consider them as a source of nutritious food.

The report authors propose that the food industry can help "enhance the position of insects" through the processing of new insect food and adding them to the menus of restaurants.

The report also calls for a better operating mechanism for the use of food insects - an industry that has not been able to compete with traditional food sources so far.

The report concluded that the widespread use of insects as food is theoretically feasible and many food companies around the world are pioneering in this area.