EntoNUTRI: Development and implementation of insect-based products to enhance food and nutritional security in sub-Saharan Africa

Keywords

Edible insects, entomophagy, insects for feed and food

Countries

Kenya

Summary

The aim is to develop insect-based products, to enhance food and nutritional security in sub-Saharan Africa.

The initiative is focusing on four insects – cricket, grasshopper, Zambezi emperor worm and shea butter caterpillar – selected on the basis of their growing popularity as food in Kenya and Uganda. Special effort is being paid towards supporting participation of women along the value chain, and assessing nutritional attributes based on the unique needs of women, girls, and infants.

Methodology

The project partners will also aim to develop viable insect rearing and harvesting techniques, assess the nutritional attributes of the insects (while taking into account the unique needs of women, girls and infants), identify the biosafety risks along the value chain, and build capacity for research on edible insects in the regions. Considering the key roles already played by women in the edible insect sector, the research will endeavour to create low-input insect technologies to support their participation along the value chain.

Main Cooperation Partners

• Food Security Center, University of Hohenheim
• National agricultural research systems partners from Kenya and Uganda

Main Funding Partners

German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Duration of the Project

Nov 2015 – Apr 2020

Project Homepage

http://www.icipe.org/research/plant-health/insects-food-and-feed/projects/entonutri-development-and-implementation-insect

Team

• Dr. Sevgan Subramanian – Project PI at icipe
• Ms. Marwa Shumo – PhD student
• Ms. Elizabeth Kusia – PhD student