Review – Insect farming for food and feed in the Global South: Focus on black soldier fly production

Abstract

• Explores the current state of black soldier fly farming in the Global South. • Analysis identifies opportunities and challenges in black soldier fly farming. • Highlights the role of black soldier flies in food security and waste reduction. • Provides insights into sustainable food systems and organic waste management. • Guidance for policymakers, researchers, and livestock industry stakeholders. Clear differences exist between the Global South and the Global North with respect to economic development. The majority of small and medium-sized insect production farms are located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which face challenges to food production and organic waste management in general. These regions have a long history of insect use, as well as environmental advantages, making production of insects in general - and the black soldier fly in particular - a promising option for sustainable food production and organic waste management. This study aimed to identify the current state of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens L.) production in the Global South. The results of a survey and a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats ( SWOT ) Analysis are presented; responses were obtained from 33 of the 100 insect producers contacted: 14 in Africa, 4 in Latin America, and 15 in Asia. Their responses indicate that although insects have great potential and can help meet many of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) thanks to their ecosystem services they provide - which is one of the main reasons producers engage in their production, significant challenges exist to the sustainability of insect farming, including lack of an adequate regulatory framework, an unstable supply of raw materials, market instability, and lack of adequate technology for operational scaling. Global collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial to overcoming these challenges.

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