Acceptability and Economic Viability of Edible Insects in South Western, Nigeria

T., Fasunwon, B.; A., Lawal, O.; O., Adesetan, T.; T., Adeleke, M.

doi:10.21608/eajbsa.2021.207980

Acceptability and Economic Viability of Edible Insects in South Western, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Biological Science, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun

² Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, PMB 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

³ Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, PMB 2002, Ago- Iwoye, Ogun State.

10.21608/eajbsa.2021.207980

Abstract

Edible insects are a good source of protein, minerals and vitamins. This study investigated the acceptability and economic viability of edible insects within the three ecological zones, in south-western, Nigeria. Six hundred (600) structured questionnaires were administered among the habitants of the selected ecological zones on the acceptability, economic benefits and types of edible insects. The data collected were statistically analysed. The insects identified were: Macrotermes bellicosus, Brachytrypes spp, Oryctes boas (larvae), Zonocerous variegatus, Apis mellifera, Anaphe recticulata, Rhynchophorus phoenicis (LavaeandAdult), Oryctes boas (Adult). Ondo in Derived Savannah has the highest diversity of 0.99 while M. bellicosus recorded the highest dominance per species. The insects were mostly fried (38.5%) before consumption. In terms of distribution, there is an abundance of Oryctes boas (37.6%) in Ogun (lowland rainforest) while there was a higher occurrence of O. boas larvae (17.6%) in Oyo State (Derived Savannah). The most acceptable edible insect within the ecological zones studied was M. bellicosus (51.9%). On the economic viability of insects, 22.3% of the respondents strongly agreed that the insects are in very high demand, 40.5% believed that the cost required to produce them is not much in regards to the benefits derived from them. Some of the respondents (38.9%) strongly agreed that insects act as an excellent source of proteins. This research has shown that people are practicing Entomophagy which should be further encouraged by the government to serve as an alternative source of protein and for income generation since they can be afforded by the masses.

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