Crunchy deliciousness but not for the faint-hearted, grasshoppers have been a unique delicacy for generations in Adamawa state.
Packed with proteins, bowls full of locally fried “Fara” grasshoppers are a seasonal staple at the Jimeta Modern Market. All it needs is a sprinkling of salt and some “yaji” pepper.
It is little wonder then that Instructor at the School of Law, Usman S Habib found it relevant to conduct an academic study on the legislation and legal framework for sustainable edible insect use in Nigeria.
As Nigerians brave the impact of yet another economic recession and skyrocketing food prices in the markets, perhaps eating insects may not be such a bad idea.
An excerpt from Habib’s article reads “Insects are a vital source of protein and have many advantages as food and feed when compared to livestock. They are relatively easy to rear and require only a small portion of land (mini livestock), uses less water and feed resources, thus saving agricultural land for growing crops and ensuring less emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.”
Published in the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, the article is a collaborative effort in partnership with Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
The authors believe a lack of clear legislation guiding the rearing, consumption, and commercialization of edible insects in most countries Nigeria inclusive, hinder the development of edible insects to levels that their potentials could be harnessed for the benefits of the environment, sustainable development, and integration as part of a climate-smart and or nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The article showed that the diversity of edible insects in Nigeria is a good cause for dedicated legislation on their uses. The authors then suggested a pathway to develop the edible insects' sector by boosting consumer confidence, upscaling, marketing strategies, and exports in a sustainable way.
To read the full article click on the link below:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-020-00291-9.
Reported by the Office of Communications