CLIMATE CHANGE TRIGGERS SIGNIFICANT DROP IN EDIBLE INSECTS IN ZAMBIA

CLIMATE CHANGE TRIGGERS SIGNIFICANT DROP IN EDIBLE INSECTS IN ZAMBIA

..threatening protein uptake, livelihood for the rural communities 



By Alfonso Kasongo 
A research conducted by Zambia's highest learning institution, UNZA has shown a reduction of edible insects such as mopane worms ( Gonimbrasia belina ) and flying termites locally known as finkubala and inswa respectively, attributing the drop to climate change.

And Entomology Society of Zambia president and researcher Dr. Dennis Wachinga has expressed concern over the development stressing the need for the country to embrace entomology to assess the extent of the impact of climate change on various insects.

Dr. Wachinga,an insects specialist, observes that climate change has continued to negatively impacting the ecological system and Zambia's abundance of edible insects is not spared adding that Just like any other element of the ecosystem, insects have continued to play critical role of the ecosystem and their abundance directly affects the system and man's livelihood. 

Insects forms about 90 percent of the animal kingdom and their role can not be under played nor ignored.
In the ecosystem, Insects are suitable for nutrients recycling through leaf lifting, decomposition and soil turnover providing much needed aeration among others. They also provide food to other livings including mammals, amphibians and reptiles. 

However, Dr Wachinga adds that the depletion in abundance of edible insects have not only affected the ecological system but worryingly nutrition and economic value for the rural and urban people.

According to the research being undertaken by Zambia's highest learning institution, University of Zambia (UNZA) in collaboration with other reasech institutions, Dr. Wachinga notes a significant drop in the number of  insects, a development which he said  has negatively impacted the environment and food system in the country. 

Dr. Wachinga emphasizes the need for the country to explain the impact of climate change on insects, 

"It is very important that the country is aware about climate change and its impact on insects. Now, we see evidence in flying termites (inswa ), the abundance of these insects is no longer much as they used. We can also see the abundance of mopan worms (finkubala) is also disappearing, " Dr. Wachinga said.

And a check at various markets showed less traders stockng and selling edible insects the development they attribute to climate variability. 
One trader, Richard Zimba disclosed that the shift in the onset of the rains has affected the abundance of vinkubala and inswa.

   

Mr. Zimba adds that a five (5) litre container locally called Meda of mopan worms (finkubala) is sold at K450 making a profit of K50 (fifty Zambian Kwacha).
(Mvula imabwela mochedwa,that is why kuli shortage ya vinkubala na inswa. Vinkubala niving'ono and we order them K400 per meda, and sell them at K450," Richard said.



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