The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) and Chalmers.

Projects

This is a three-year project, with funds from The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) and Chalmers. The fund was released in January 2022, with an objective of domesticating desert locus aiming to promote edible insects for food security. An MSc student was actively involved in managing the rearing of the insects meanwhile conducting his MSc thesis research. The insects were successfully raised. Additional funds for the project are being awaited to develop a mass rearing unit at the university insect farm. The aim is to maintain a bulking site on campus where farmers will be able to collect locust eggs for their household farm production. Hopefully, this will introduce another domesticated insects for food security.

Funding Source

This project is funded to the tune of 147700 Swedish Kroners, by the The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology.

Key Activities and Milestones

  • Rear edible insects: Collect and rear desert locust for domestication.
  • Develop a pure stand of desert locus for research purposes.
  • Capacity build by supporting a MSc student thesis.
  • Community Engagement:  Conducting workshops and training sessions for local communities on the benefits and methods of rearing edible insects

Impact and Relevance

Together with INSEFOODS, The SWEAFUN project supported one Masters student while addresses critical issues of domesticating locusts for food security. The project has demonstrated clearly that locust can be reared and several farmers have attempted to firm the insects as an enterprise. The cultivation and commercialization of insects can lead to increased economic opportunities for women and youth, fostering community resilience and self-sufficiency.