In South Africa, where food security is always a big challenge, the latest solution being pitched by scientists is edible bugs. We are not sure creepy crawlies are the answer, but are curious to know more, so let’s dive in:
Pretoria, South Africa (20 June 2025) – Crickets on toast? Yellow mealworm burgers? While these might sound like pranks from a cooking show gone rogue, they’re very real, and apparently very nutritious possibilities being researched at the University of Pretoria (UP). In fact, the humble insect might just be the protein-rich, eco-friendly solution to hunger, sustainability, and even job creation in South Africa and beyond. And in a country where Mopani worms are considered a delicacy, the question is, are you up to try?
Led by Professor Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, the Department of Zoology and Entomology at UP is digging into the world of edible insects, not just to shock the taste buds, but to explore how these “mini-livestock” could feed a rapidly growing global population without chewing through the planet’s resources.
“We use two commonly consumed edible insects: the household cricket and the yellow mealworm,” says Prof Yusuf. “The latter has traditionally been used in animal feed, but the European Union has now approved it for human consumption too.”
What makes these creepy crawlies so compelling isn’t just their high protein content or impressive levels of essential minerals, it’s their simplicity. Easy to farm, fast to reproduce, and now, thanks to UP’s latest research, able to thrive on more affordable local feed alternatives, edible insects are poised to leap from novelty to necessity.
The Flour of the Future
A key focus of the study was finding cheaper, more accessible ways to rear yellow mealworms, especially for small-scale or rural farmers. Traditionally raised on wheat bran, mealworms proved just as happy on more cost-effective options like maize or wheat flour, both of which are more widely available.
The team even pushed their experiment a step further: could they reuse the same flour to rear a second generation of mealworms? The answer was yes, and the nutritional profile remained just as strong. That means one bag of maize flour could potentially go a long way in feeding not just insects, but communities too.
“The findings demonstrate the suitability of inexpensive, locally available substrates for large-scale insect farming,” says Prof Yusuf. “This could provide a significant opportunity for rural income generation.”
Small Wings, Big Impact
Beyond their potential as a superfood, insects are a sustainability powerhouse. Farming them requires far less land, water and feed than traditional livestock. And as they munch through crop waste, they help generate valuable organic fertiliser. It’s a full-circle system with big implications: by 2030, the edible insect industry in Africa is expected to be worth over US$8 billion, supporting up to 15 million jobs and replacing a sizable chunk of conventional animal feed.
“In Africa, insects are still mostly gathered from the wild for household use or informal trade,” says Yusuf. “But this research shows there’s a smarter, scalable way to rear them — with real benefits for food security, nutrition, and the environment.”
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And while we might not see bug buffets at our local braais just yet, the future of food is definitely buzzing.
What do you think about the future of food sustainability? Does it bug you? We are not 100% sure, but we are glad the scientists are thinking outside the box.
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