Termites. | image source: elimuasilia1.blogspot.co.ke |
A study by International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has now identified various insects as the new source of food for human beings.
The centre notes that aggravated food security has been caused by urbanization, climate change, diminishing land and water resources, over- and under-nutrition and persistent poverty.
The study notes that insects are important source of protein and other nutrients adding that their use as food has ecological advantages over conventional meat.
“Insects are also a rich source of drugs for modern medicine and they have economic benefits for mass production as animal feed and human food,” reads the study.
The study confirmed the nutritional importance of the edible stink bug, which is widely found and eaten in parts of southern Africa.
According to icipe scientist, Prof. Baldwyn Torto, the stink bug is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.
He says that the bug has the potential to play a vital role in improving food and nutritional security as well as the incomes of rural African communities.
- The STAR