Using the edible insect Ruspolia differens to enhance food security in East Africa

The global surge in demand for cheap alternative and sustainable protein sources has led to the UNFAO advocating the use of edible insects. In Sub-Saharan Africa, entomophagy based on harvesting from the wild is already being practiced, but is associated with many challenges such as seasonal availability, sustainability issues, pathogen risks and high perishability of the harvested insects. This project will focus on the sustainable rearing, nutrient content and microbial safety of R. differens to contribute to enhancing food security.