Turn trillion grasshoppers into "drinks": The solution "is both delicious and easy", but one thing should be noted
Turn trillion grasshoppers into "drinks": The solution "is both delicious and easy", but one thing should be noted
The idea is not new
Huge swarms of grasshoppers in East African countries are threatening the food supply of more than 20 million people amid a greatly reduced food availability due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, experts are looking for novel ideas for dealing with grasshoppers - including eating them.
It is known that desert grasshoppers are considered to be the most devastating migratory insects. They usually live alone in the desert environment, but heavy rains have helped grasshopper eggs survive and thrive in numbers not seen this summer.
Grasshoppers first appeared in Kenya in late December 2019, with a second wave of grasshoppers appearing in April. , it is possible that the subsequent waves of Chau Chau flock will be larger in the coming weeks. In the past 70 years, this was the first time that grasshoppers appeared in such large numbers.
According to the United Nations, a herd of grasshoppers covering an area of 1 square kilometer can eat up to 35,000 people's food per day - a devastating loss to local farmers.
"They destroyed the corn fields, the pawpaw trees, they put us in trouble," said a farmer named Kenyan.
Measures to control grasshoppers have been implemented, including using traditional pesticides, using biological pesticides or capturing grasshoppers to eat.
"In some remote areas, many people are starting to eat grasshoppers," said Chrystanus Tanga, a researcher at the International Center for Insects in Nairobi.
"We think this is something that should be encouraged to let more people eat grasshoppers instead of seeing it as 'ancient people's' food," Mr. Tanga said.
Things to note
However, eating grasshoppers can also cause health problems if they have eaten plants that have been sprayed with pesticides.
"If these organisms are destroyed by chemicals and humans eat them, there are bound to be health problems."
Arnold van Huis, an entomologist at Wageningen University (The Netherlands) and one of the co-organizers of the "Insects the World" conference, said of grasshoppers: "Just like chicken or beef, if you do not add seasoning people will not find the grasshoppers delicious. It is necessary to cook them properly and depends on the type of insect. "
"You can add a little salt, tomatoes and onions to your dish. Sometimes we can mash grasshoppers and turn them into different products."
Mr. Arnold van Huis continued: "More than 70% of agricultural land around the world is used for livestock. As the demand for meat doubles, we have to find new sources of protein. And insects - in terms of nutrition. That being said - pretty similar to cattle meat. They're even better. "
"In addition, insects produce less greenhouse gases. They convert food into body weight quite effectively. It is possible that insects are cold-blooded organisms that do not need more food to keep warm." To make 1kg of beef, 25kg of feed is required on average. For 1kg of grasshoppers, only about 2kg of feed is needed. "
Recently, scientists at research centers are also looking for other solutions, including using a pheromone to stimulate locust concentration (then kill with insecticides), or use a fungus. It can poison the grasshoppers and die without damaging their surroundings.
Although a number of countries and NGOs have donated $ 160 million to control the grasshoppers, many fear that the next months the locust pandemic will not end.
