UTILIZATION OF ALATE TERMITES (Macroterme Spp) TO IMPROVE NUTRITIONAL SECURITY AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN VIHIGA COUNTY-KENYA.

Abstract

Among key food nutritional concerns all over the globe is the rising demand for high-value protein, which is projected to double by 2050 due to the rapidly growing population in developing economies, such as Kenya. To meet the new demand, conventional livestock may prove expensive as the current production system remains unsustainable. Research on alternative sources of protein calls for affordable and environmentally acceptable protein sources. Hence entomophagy is gaining attention with approximately 1,900 insect species consumed worldwide including the Alate termites. However, information on utilization and abundance is largely anecdotal and disjointed due to the limited knowledge of sustained off-season production, appropriate processing technology and packaging for all end-user market segments. The objective of this study was to fill this knowledge gap by assessing the capacity of farmers on the current harvesting and utilization of the alate termite. The research involved a cross-sectional descriptive survey design that informed data collection from a target population of 64,752 households. A Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 204 households obtained through a multistage sampling procedure within Vihiga County Western Kenya. Descriptive and exploratory statistics was applied in summarizing the results while chi-square statistic was used to test for association between attitude, knowledge and utilization of alate termites and the sociodemographic variables The key findings revealed a strong association between the respondents' socio-economic status and’ capacity, including attitude on consumption, methods and forms of utilization of alates. Where the categorical variables socioeconomic characteristics, influenced the choice of preferred forms as either fried or blanched termites (p<0.001). Additionally, there was a strong association of termite availability and their role in alleviating hunger through household diet diversification and food security. The utilization of alate termites assessed was recorded to have 65% of the respondents utilize the alate termites for health reasons while 81% consume alate termites as either side dish or staple. The main factors determining abundance and utilization of alate termites (figure 2) include seasonality and weather (63.2%), type of soil in the locality. The termites may be exploited to provide high-quality diets for households especially in developing countries while promoting awareness of the nutritional potential.