Unlocking the Potential of Desert Locusts: A Sustainable Solution for Food Security and Economic Growth in Africa

With the growing population and the persistent challenge of food insecurity in Africa, researchers have turned to an unexpected source of nourishment: the desert locust. Through innovative mass-breeding techniques, these insects could provide a sustainable and protein-rich solution to feed both animals and humans, while also creating new business opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Transforming Locusts into a Viable Food Source

Addressing the Protein Deficit

The African continent faces a significant challenge in meeting the nutritional needs of its growing population. With nearly 282 million people in Africa currently undernourished, the urgent need for more sustainable food sources has become increasingly apparent. Edible insects, such as the desert locust, have emerged as a promising solution to this pressing issue.Researchers at Makerere University in Uganda and Egerton University in Kenya have developed a field-scale prototype for mass-producing desert locusts in controlled greenhouse environments. These insects are rich in protein, making them an excellent source of nutrition for both animals and humans. By incorporating locusts into animal feed for poultry, pigs, and fish, the researchers aim to address the perennial shortage of quality animal feeds in the region.

Ensuring Food Safety and Sustainability

The mass-breeding approach, which builds upon a lab-scale protocol developed by the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), utilizes a unique "Roof-Park Greenhouse Technology" (RPGT) to create a controlled environment with optimal temperature and humidity. This system allows for the large-scale production of locusts while ensuring they remain contained and do not escape, which could potentially lead to crop damage and exacerbate food security issues.To further enhance the sustainability of this approach, scientists are exploring the use of non-food crop plant diets for the locusts, ensuring that the production process does not compete with the region's food supply. This innovative strategy not only addresses the protein deficit but also promotes the efficient and responsible utilization of resources.

Unlocking Economic Opportunities

The Locust4Industry project, led by Joshua Ogendo, the principal investigator and associate professor of crop protection at Egerton University, aims to enable the industrial exploitation of the desert locust as a nutritional food source. By involving local communities, small and medium enterprises, and food and feed industrial players, the project seeks to spur economic empowerment, job creation, and improved livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa.Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, the head of the Insects for Food, Feed and other Uses program at Icipe, emphasizes the potential for viable business opportunities in the region through the scaling of this mass-breeding approach. The protein, fat, and energy content of locusts are comparable to or even higher than that of meat, making them an attractive alternative for meeting the growing demand for proteins and enhancing food security.

Navigating Regulatory Frameworks

As the mass-breeding of desert locusts gains momentum, it is crucial to ensure that the process adheres to established safety standards and regulations. Silvenus Konyole, an associate professor of food science and nutrition at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya, notes that the country has already developed standards for the use of insects as food and feed. Compliance with these regulations will be essential in addressing any safety concerns and paving the way for the widespread adoption of this innovative approach.The successful implementation of the Locust4Industry project and the subsequent scaling of the mass-breeding technique could have far-reaching implications for the region. By transforming the desert locust from a pest into a valuable food source, this initiative has the potential to not only improve food security but also drive economic growth and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.