Insects as food – an option for sustainable food production?

Last changed: 04 September 2024

Publ. 2019. Future Food Reports #5. Insect farming, which is still in its early stages, has the potential to be a sustainable food production system that supports biodiversity and land conservation, provided it is managed carefully.

The increasing global population and demand for food are putting pressure on land resources and the environment. Livestock production, which uses 70% of agricultural land, is expected to nearly double by 2050, requiring innovative solutions like insect farming to mitigate environmental impacts. Insects have a high feed conversion rate, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and require less water compared to conventional livestock. Insects, already consumed by 2 billion people worldwide, are rich in nutrients and can help reduce malnutrition. To promote insect consumption in Western societies, cultural attitudes need to change.