The role of edible insects in food security and livelihoods in Zambia

Edible insects a source of nutrition for many people both in rural and urban areas transcending cultural and geographic boundaries. Insect consumption was motivated by nutritional considerations and the organic nature of edible insects as they were collected from the wild. Insects are also a source of livelihoods for harvesters, wholesalers and retailers. Edible insect trade was expanding to major urban cities and chain store stores which previously was not the case. However, the practice of entomophagy was being affected by higher insect prices, scarcity due to reduced wild insect population, lack of infrastructure, institutional framework or policy.