Hlongwane Zabentungwa T, Slotow Rob, Munyai Thinandavha C
School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
Resources (Basel). 2021 Dec 7;10(12):123. doi: 10.3390/resources10120123.
Edible insects are an important natural commodity in rural areas that is used for household consumption and to generate income through trade. As a result, edible-insect trading is a profitable business that provides employment and improves the livelihoods of impoverished rural people. This study aimed at determining the socioeconomic benefits of and reasons for trading insects, and to assess if edible insects are included in economic development strategies in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa. We conducted 72 questionnaire interviews targeting traders in 5 towns across the district. Five insect groups belonging to four insect orders are traded in informal markets of the district. Mopane worms () were the most traded (42%) edible insects. Unemployment (45%) and the demand for edible insects (34%) were the major reasons for trading insects. Insect trading has numerous benefits; however, the provision of income (60%) and financial support (35%) were stated as the primary benefits. Despite several benefits associated with trading in insects, there are many challenges such as insect spoilage and a decline in the availability of edible insects in the wild. Edible insects play an important role in food security and the rural economy by generating employment opportunities for unemployed traders. Trading in insects is a traditional practice based on indigenous knowledge, which has persisted as an economic practice that improves rural livelihoods by reducing poverty and increases the human dignity of rural citizens. Only four governmental organisations in Limpopo included edible insects in economic development strategies. Trading insects is primarily an informal activity. The government could stimulate the activity and broaden and deepen the community benefits by providing infrastructure, access to harvest areas, financial support, and business training as part of a rural empowerment strategy to end hunger and poverty while creating employment opportunities in rural areas.
可食用昆虫是农村地区一种重要的天然商品，用于家庭消费并通过贸易创收。因此，可食用昆虫贸易是一项有利可图的业务，能提供就业机会并改善贫困农村人口的生计。本研究旨在确定昆虫贸易的社会经济效益及原因，并评估南非林波波省韦姆贝区的经济发展战略中是否纳入了可食用昆虫。我们对该地区5个城镇的贸易商进行了72次问卷调查。该地区的非正式市场上交易着属于四个昆虫目的五类昆虫。莫帕内蠕虫（）是交易最多（42%）的可食用昆虫。失业（45%）和对可食用昆虫的需求（34%）是交易昆虫的主要原因。昆虫贸易有诸多益处；然而，提供收入（60%）和资金支持（35%）被认为是主要益处。尽管昆虫贸易有诸多好处，但也存在许多挑战，如昆虫变质以及野外可食用昆虫数量减少。可食用昆虫通过为失业的贸易商创造就业机会，在粮食安全和农村经济中发挥着重要作用。昆虫贸易是一种基于本土知识的传统做法，作为一种经济活动持续存在，通过减少贫困改善农村生计并提升农村居民的尊严。林波波省只有四个政府组织将可食用昆虫纳入经济发展战略。昆虫贸易主要是一种非正式活动。政府可以通过提供基础设施、进入收获区的机会、资金支持和商业培训来刺激这一活动，扩大并深化社区受益，作为农村赋权战略的一部分，以消除饥饿和贫困，同时在农村地区创造就业机会。
