Abstract
Simple SummaryInsects are the most abundant animals in the world, with all species accounting for more than 70% of the global animal population. To manage the production of insects in the interest of food security, more attention should be given to environmentally-friendly harvesting methods such as indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). Since edible insects have economic, nutritional, and ecological advantages, their production deserves more attention from both national governments and assistance programmes to ensure food security. By developing improved conservation methods, insect production could be readily available throughout the year. Consequently, this review provides information that stakeholders such as farmers and national governments can use to make more informed decisions in relation to the contribution of indigenous knowledge systems to the production and sustainability of edible insects.Edible insects can be produced sustainably, with less environmental impact than other forms of livestock. Globally, over 2000 edible insect species have been reported and are regarded as a great source of nutrition, both as food and feed. Over the years, rural people have used indigenous knowledge to either store or process such insects. However, such valuable knowledge, if not properly recorded and documented, can easily be lost. Thus, there is a need to strike a balance between the use of indigenous and scientific knowledge to produce and process these delicacies. In addition, such indigenous knowledge is vital for preserving biodiversity, since insects are good indicators of climate change as it influences their development, reproduction, and survival. Therefore, successful and sustainable solutions may lie in bringing back indigenous knowledge systems.
Highlights
Research into using indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) to produce edible insects has been fairly well-documented in certain parts of the world, including the African continent [1,2,3]
In Africa, an indigenous knowledge system has been applied in various fields such as biodiversity conservation, interpreting climate change, legislation, farming, and in regard to the consumption of edible insects [1,2,3,11]
This review will discuss the importance of the indigenous knowledge by addressing the following topics: how it has contributed to the sustainable use of edible insects; the need to understand conservation methods used by communities that consume edible insects; and how edible insects can contribute to sustainable development goals and emphasise the importance of developing the legislative framework for the use of edible insects
Summary
Research into using indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) to produce edible insects has been fairly well-documented in certain parts of the world, including the African continent [1,2,3]. Itterbeeck and van Huis [17] have reported that in some parts of the world and sub-Saharan Africa, communities that consume edible insects are able to manipulate the natural environment to increase the availability and predictability of such insects Strategies such as manipulating host tree distribution, shifting cultivation, host tree preservation and manually introducing caterpillars to a selected area have been applied. Narratives that support certain customs and beliefs—such as pregnant women that consume nsenene will give birth to children that resemble a nsenene head—are common among local Tanzanian communities [18] Such practices and belief systems have been reported in Uganda, where women are prohibited from eating this grasshopper; they are only allowed to catch and cook them for their husbands [18]. This review will discuss the importance of the indigenous knowledge by addressing the following topics: how it has contributed to the sustainable use of edible insects; the need to understand conservation methods used by communities that consume edible insects; and how edible insects can contribute to sustainable development goals and emphasise the importance of developing the legislative framework for the use of edible insects
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
