Edible Insects Offer New Hope for Nutrition and Household Incomes

What the report says

Uganda is exploring edible insect farming as a way to address malnutrition, weaker humanitarian support and limited household incomes, according to Nile Post. The issue was highlighted at an international conference in Kampala on August 26, where researchers, policymakers, farmers, development partners, schools, private-sector actors and refugee and host communities discussed how insects could fit into more sustainable food and livelihood systems.

The article says the discussion centered on yellow mealworms and black soldier fly larvae, which advocates described as having nutritional and economic value. Dr. Violet Gwokyalya of Mothers Against Malnutrition and Hunger said insect farming could help with both poor nutrition and income generation, and urged greater coordination to expand production and to consider insect-based products in school feeding programs. Ronald Kaggwa of the National Planning Authority said nutrition challenges are closely tied to poverty and argued the sector should be developed across the full value chain, including production, processing, standards, packaging and markets.

Nile Post also reported existing activity in districts such as Mityana and Kyegegwa. In Kyegegwa, an insect farmers cooperative has trained 965 people, with more than 500 actively producing black soldier flies, and says it has helped over 1,000 households through jobs and income opportunities. The report presents insect farming as a possible low-land livelihood option for women and young people, while noting that research, quality control and long-term planning will be needed before the sector can scale sustainably.