Tropentag 2020, September 9 - 11, virtual conference, Germany "Food and nutrition security and its resilience to global crises"

Insect Farming for Food and Feed Security in Myanmar

Yezin Agricultural University, Department of Animal Science, Burma

Abstract

In Myanmar most edible insects are harvested in the wild, but a few insect species like silkworms and bees are domesticated because of their commercially valuable products as silk and honey. Moreover, by-products like processed pupae from silk worm and bee larvae from beekeeping are eaten as protein rich delicacy in Myanmar. However, edible insect rearing for human consumption is a new farming system for Myanmar creating a new opportunity for poverty stricken smallholder rural populace. Recently, through edible insect project “Production and Processing of Edible Insect for Improved Nutrition ProciNut”, Yezin Agricultural University initiated and explored the opportunity for affordable small-scale cricket farming. Two species, Field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (Degeer) and Giant cricket Brachytrupes portentosus (Lichtenstein) are produced. The rearing methods are as simple as backyard farming, needing no expensive materials. Day-old chick feed are fed for young stage and vegetable scraps from pumpkins, carrot and cabbage are fed for adults. However the lack of technical backstopping, it is felt that current production system has not been well developed. On the other hand, high-quality rearing techniques and food safety are essential for the widespread use of insects as human food. Another major challenge is rearing insects in large numbers, which may require understanding ecology of particular edible insect species, legal instruments, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA). Training on insect farming and processing methods are urgently needed for small scale producers. However, it is believed that edible insects as a new sources of food and feed for innovative and integrated food system in Myanmar.

Keywords: Cricket, feed, food, insect farming, processing, production

Contact Address: Aye Aye Myint, Yezin Agricultural University, Department of Animal Science, Yezin Agricultural University, 15013 Zayarthiri Township, Burma, e-mail: ayeayemyint2006gmail.com