THE CONTRIBUTION OF INSECTS TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY, LIVELIHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW

Abstract

Abstract Despite the strong aversion shown to entomophagy due to civilization and other socio-cultural influence, insects have played an important role in the history of man’s nutrition worldwide. Hundreds of species have been used as human food and medicine. Some of the more important groups include; grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, winged termites, bees, wasp, cricket and a variety of aquatic insects. Insects provide food at low environmental cost, contribute positively to livelihoods, and play a fundamental role in nature. However, these benefits are largely unknown to the public. Contrary to popular belief, insects are not merely “famine foods” eaten in times of food scarcity or when purchasing and harvesting “conventional foods” becomes difficult; many people around the world eat insects out of choice, largely because of the palatability of the insects and their established place in local food cultures. Insects deliver a host of ecological services that are fundamental to the survival of mankind. They also play an important role as pollinators in plant reproduction, improving soil fertility through waste bioconversion, and in natural biocontrol for harmful pest species, and they provide a variety of valuable products for humans such as honey and silk. Insects have been reared as mini-livestock at household level or industrial scale. The exportation and domestic sale of insects’ products like honey, silk, generate huge amount of revenue and thus serves as a means of livelihood to the insect farmers. Findings from the current review thus enumerate the immeasurable contributions of insects and insect products to food security, livelihoods and environment. It was recommended that Insects farming should be encouraged in Nigeria through training and sponsoring; further documentation is needed on the nutritional values of insects in order to more efficiently promote insects as healthy food.

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