World Bank Advocates for Insect Farming in Africa to Combat Food Security Crisis

NAIROBI, Kenya — In a significant push towards addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Africa, the World Bank has called on farmers across the continent to adopt insect farming. Dr. Dorte Verner, the Chief Agricultural Economist for Africa at the World Bank, highlighted the low number of insect farmers in the region, with only 850 across 16 countries and just 17 in Kenya, amid the escalating food crisis.

According to Kenya News Agency, insect farming presents a promising multi-billion-dollar market opportunity, projected to reach around US $8 billion by 2030. The practice is not only lucrative due to its potential to provide food and animal feed, but also for its capacity to create jobs, diversify livelihoods, and enhance nutrition.

During the Insect for Green Economy conference held at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Dr. Verner emphasized the benefits of insect farming, including the high demand for insect-blended food and the rapid returns on investment, with farmers recouping their initial capital within just 127 days. She identified black soldier flies, mealworms, crickets, and desert locusts as key species gaining popularity among farmers.

Dr. Verner stressed the urgency of transitioning to insect farming, given the extensive use of the world’s arable land for feed farming and the constant supply insects offer throughout the year. She outlined the role of insect farming in creating a circular economy, where household waste is converted by insects into valuable products like fertilizer, proteins, fats, and oils.

Insect farming could potentially generate 15 million jobs in Africa, fulfilling 75 percent of the continent’s direct and indirect employment needs. Teresia Karanja, Deputy Director of the State Department of Agriculture, echoed the World Bank’s call, urging local farmers to consider insect farming as arable land becomes increasingly scarce. She assured government support for farmers through inputs and market linkages.

The call for widespread adoption of insect farming was accompanied by a plea for more research into mass breeding and improved rearing techniques. Karanja emphasized the importance of technological advancements, such as selective breeding, and the need for ongoing awareness efforts targeting investors, farmers, suppliers, and consumers about this innovative agricultural practice.