Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
05/16/2013
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According to FAO, about 900 species of insects are edible.
Report shows 'animals' as sources of protein and minerals.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, its acronym in English), released in Rome on Monday (13) a program that encourages the creation of large-scale insects to enhance food safety. It said the insects are foods rich in nutrients, low cost, ecological and "delicious."
Two billion people in traditional cultures already eat insects, but the consumption potential is much greater, the agency believes. "Our message is: eat insects, which are abundant, a rich source of protein and minerals," said Eva Ursula Müller, director of the Department of Economic Policy Forest.
The trillions of insects that reproduce endlessly on land, air and water, "have higher growth rates and feed conversion high and a low impact on the environment throughout its life cycle", argue experts. According to his calculations, about 900 species of insects are edible.
The FAO lists the benefits of producing insects on a large scale: it takes 2 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of insects, while cattle requires 8 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of meat. Furthermore, the insects' are nutritionally with a high content of protein, fat and minerals "and" consumed whole or may be ground and incorporated into other foods. "
Mass production
The insect rearing is simple because it can be made from organic waste such as food scraps and also from compounds and manure. Insects are extremely environmentally friendly: use much less water and produce less greenhouse gases than cattle.
Consumption, called Entomophagy is already widespread and practiced long between traditional cultures in regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. "One third of the world population eats insects, and this is because they are delicious and nutritious," says Eva Ursula Müller.
"Insects are sold in the markets of Kinshasa, in Thailand or in Chiapas, Mexico, and they begin to appear on the menus of restaurants in Europe," he said.
Some creators of several continents understand the advantages and begin to take advantage: they began to use insects as food ingredients, including aquaculture and poultry.
According to Müller, insects provide more than just nutrition. They are also used to give color and form one of the bases of traditional medicine in many countries. To ensure the nutrition of animals, insects are likely to provide a complement to other resources used as soy and fish meal.
Termites grilled
Gabril Tchango, Minister of Forests in Gabon, praised the consumption of insects that "a part of everyday life." The "grilled termites are considered a delicacy in our forests," he said, considering that insects, in all categories, contribute about 10% of the animal protein consumed in Gabon
According to the FAO, "by 2030, more than 9 billion people will need to be fed, as well as the billions of animals raised every year" to meet various needs, at a time when "the pollution of soil and water due intensive production of grazing animals lead to forest degradation. "
Another argument in favor of the creation of insects is that they "can be harvested in its natural state, grown, processed and sold by the poorest in society, such as women and landless farmers. Insects can be collected directly and easily on your natural state. spending or investments needed for the harvest are minimal. "
Source: G1 - News
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.