How sustainable are insects as a food source?

Because of their high nutritive value and ubiquitous presence, insects present a potential sustainable food source for humans. Once was select suitable species and develop appropriate breeding methods, insects can provide a reliable and sustainable source of high‐quality animal protein.

How are insects an aid to a sustainable food supply for humans?

The major environmental advantages of insect farming compared to livestock production are as follows: (1) less land and water is required; (2) greenhouse gas emissions are lower; (3) insects have high feed conversion efficiencies; (4) insects can transform low-value organic by-products into high-quality food or feed; …

How is eating insects good for the economy?

Insects are packed with protein and they take very little food, space and water to rear — unlike cattle, poultry and other meat products. This could make insects a far more sustainable alternative to traditional sources of animal protein.

Why should insects be used as a food source?

Insects are chock-full of protein and rich in essential micronutrients, such as iron and zinc. Insect meal could also replace some of the expensive ingredients (e.g. soybeans and fishmeal) that are fed to farm animals, potentially lowering the cost of livestock products and freeing up feed crops for human consumption.

How can insects overcome food problems?

Insect meal can replace scarce fishmeal as feed ingredient, in particular in the fast growing aquaculture industry. Edible insects can alleviate waste disposal problems by growing them on organic by-products. About 2000 insect species are eaten worldwide, mostly in tropical countries.

Why are eating insects beneficial to sustainable agriculture?

FAO states that edible insects contain high-quality protein, amino acids, vitamins, calcium, zinc, and iron for humans. But insect breeding releases much less greenhouse gas, methane, and ammonia than raising cattle and pigs, and requires less water.

How does insect overcome food problem?

What is the nutritional value of insects?

Insects are considered highly nutritional; the majority of them are rich in protein, healthy fats, iron, and calcium, and low in carbohydrates. In fact, the authors of the FAO report claim that insects are just as – if not more – nutritious than commonly consumed meats, such as beef.

Are insects sustainable?

Though a relatively new phenomenon in the Western world, producing insects for food can lower the food industries impact on the environment. Rearing edible bugs uses considerably less resources including the land they are farmed and the water used to produce their feed.

How can insects contribute to food and feed security?

Insects can feed on bio-waste, such as food and human waste, compost and animal slurry, and can transform this into high-quality protein that can be used for animal feed. Insects use significantly less water than conventional livestock. Mealworms, for example, are more drought-resistant than cattle.

How insects can be useful for the agricultural production and food safety?

Insects are Important to Agriculture? Insects are directly beneficial to humans by producing honey, silk, wax, and other products. Indirectly, they are important as pollinators of crops, natural enemies of pests, scavengers, and food for other creatures.