News

Recently, the acceptability of porridge enriched with crickets was studied among child-caregivers in Kenya and the results were published in the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AFJAND). This scientific evaluation study tested the comparative levels of acceptability of porridge made from flour enriched with edible cricket and another from corn-soy blend, when…

During last 6 months we investigated the potential for scaling up the cricket business in Nigeria for use in nutrient-enriched bread as a sustainable, locally produced protein source (see news item of April 10th). The study resulted in the following positive results: Cricket-enriched bread can contribute to reducing micronutrient deficiencies (protein, iron, vitamin B12) in…

Currently, a large demo cricket farm is under construction. This will be build by MIXA Foods & Beverages in Kisumu, Kenya. At the moment market demand for cricket powder is sometimes outpacing supply.  This is in line with calculations of the World Bank; they see a market for farmed insects for human food and feed…

Cricket farming presents a sustainable, innovative solution for enhancing food security and diversifying local food production in Nigeria. Currently, 100 small holder cricket farmers are present in Nigeria (coordinated by NGN and the Spring Board Foundation) and daily 200 cricket loaves are baked and sold successfully. Cricket flour, rich in high-quality protein and essential micronutrients,…

Good news! The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) adopted a draft standard on edible insects. This Draft Uganda Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for edible insects’ products intended for human consumption or for further processing Uganda Standard This Draft Standard DUS DARS 1261: 2024, Edible insects — Edible crickets — Specification,…

The third Uganda EU Business Forum was organized from 5-7 March 2024 in Kampala, Uganda at Speke Resort. The Forum placed special attention to key economic sectors that offer significant opportunities for European investors to develop partnerships with entrepreneurs in Uganda including in Agribusiness, Sustainable Mining, Enabling Infrastructure and Sustainable Tourism. Flying Food was present…

NGO Ideas for Us Uganda is managed by Isaac Sinamakosa and based in Kasese, Western Uganda. Isaac established a cricket farm in 2019 with funding from Florida and unfortunately had to close down in 2022, due to issues of land-use. He was using a free range farming system, where crickets are farmed in rooms and…

At 28-29 February 2024 the Insects for the Green Economy was held in Nairobi. Theme was: Sustainable Food Systems and Livelihoods in Africa. The conference was hosted by the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). 150 participants around the world participated in the conference – all…

Esther Amoding is manager of the Flying Food demofarm for crickets. This farm is based in Masaka, Uganda. The farm is 8 m2 and insulated to keep the crickets around 30 degrees Celcius day and night, the whole year round. She is using 60 crates for farming and she is currently multiplying the crickets to…

Charles Odira from MIXA Food and Beverages, Kisumu, Kenya will be present at this East African Community Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair (formally known as the EAC Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi Exhibition) in Bujumbura, Burundi from 7-17 December 2023 and will exhibit cricket powder and cricket bread. MIXA is partner from Flying Food since 2015…