The potential of insect meal in improving food security in Malawi: an alternative of soybean and fishmeal in livestock feed

It is reported that fish contribute 70% of the animal protein intake in Malawi. This may be currently lower, as per capita fish consumption is reported to have declined by 58% from 14 kg/person/year in the 1970s to 8.12 kg/person/year in 2014. The situation poses a serious national nutrition problem, if not put under control. The Malawi Government and other stakeholders were therefore prompted to promote fish farming to supplement the fish that are provided from capture fisheries on the market. Currently, Malawi Development Cooperation (MALDECO) Aquaculture is a prominent commercial aquaculture company in Malawi, with just above 6,000 small-scale farmers. Feed is a challenge due to the high prices of soybean and imported fishmeal. Most small-scale fish farmers use maize bran to feed their fish, but this is nonviable as it results in low yield and abandonment of fish farming by most farmers. This study seeks to provide information in search of a solution to address feed challenges in the fish sector. A literature review was conducted on approaches being used by fish farmers and current efforts to resolve these challenges, and the information gained was used to outline a roadmap for solving livestock feed challenges at household level in Malawi. It was observed that using waste from the farmyard, farmers could culture insects which have high protein content than soybean and highly digestible than fish meal. Insects can deal with environmental pollution by utilising waste. Incorporation of insect meal in fish feed can replace soybean and fish meal, hence turning the fish industry around in Malawi by making it more productive. The goal of making fish products adequately available on the market may rely on the potential of incorporating insect meal in fish feed. Insect inclusion in fish feed has a potential for increasing fish consumption per capita in Malawi, hence improving food security. However, challenges to be resolved are food acceptance, food safety issues and legislation, which can be dealt with by the coordination of government, industry and academia.