Title
Insect farming in support of wildlife conservation efforts in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, D.R. Congo
Author(s)
Franklin, A.; Sandrin, A.; Asaha, S.; Abid, C.; Kabangu, N.
Published
2022
Publisher
Journal of Insects as Food and Feed
Abstract
The trade in bushmeat (i.e. wildlife harvested for human consumption) provides a critical source of income and protein to rural communities throughout the Congo Basin. The growing demand for bushmeat by a burgeoning human population has led to overhunting and threatens many wildlife species with extinction. For example, between 2011 and 2018, within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR), Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), okapi, bush pigs, and several species of primate and forest antelope have experienced significant population declines due to illegal hunting. To protect the welfare of humans and wildlife alike, replacing bushmeat-based livelihoods with alternative income-generating activities that also provide an affordable source of protein to meet the population’s nutritional needs is paramount. Because wild- harvested larvae of the African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) is a popular seasonal protein in the Congo Basin, palm weevil larvae (PWL) farming is one such alternative. Farms for Orphans and the Wildlife Conservation Society are collaborating on a pilot project evaluating the efficacy of PWL farming at the household (hh) level in three villages within the OWR. Community surveys indicated >93% of respondents consume PWL when in season, >80% of respondents were interested in PWL farming and >90% of respondents were willing to consume farmed PWL. A demonstration farm was built in the village of Epulu, 38 people were trained in PWL farming techniques and farming materials for hh farms were distributed. One bin of breeding palm weevils and substrate, costing $3.20 USD, can produce 75 edible larvae (0.5 kg) every month. Thus, a small-scale PWL farmer harvesting 20 bins monthly can yield 10 kg PWL, bolstering hh nutrition. At $0.10 USD/larvae, this same farmer can make a net profit of $86 USD/month, compared to $45 USD/month for a commercial hunter. PWL farming is a promising approach to provide alternative livelihoods and year-round access to a preferred protein to communities surrounding critical wildlife habitat in the DRC and beyond.

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB35606