Why is there starvation in human populations?

[Ryan_m_b]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-10766941

"In the Netherlands, insect rearing companies are already in business, typically they tend to breed large beetles, crickets and locusts."


There seems to be some farming of insects, as well as other observations.

Interesting stuff! Especially this bit;

"It's also possible, though not yet commercially viable, to extract the protein, and produce a kind of meat substitute, similar to the Quorn products we're already used to"

Perhaps in the future we'll be able to buy McBeetle Burgers. But echoing DaveC this isn't related to starvation. The technology and infrastructure necessary to farm insects is orders of magnitude greater than that needed for farming mammals/birds etc. Can you imagine trying to clip the wings of a billion locus, or trying to stop your ants tunneling away

 

[WhoWee]

Yep. I'm aware of that. But imagine the logistical feat involved in extracting enough ants from an anthill to feed your family. I can't imagine how you'd do it at all, let alone practically.

Perhaps Politicians should start promising a Chocolate Fountain for every yard (to attract/coat/kill and render the ants appetizing)?

 

[fuzzyfelt]

http://edible.com/shop/insectivore/ :)

Yes, I think the article I linked is more concerned with longer term global issues, and that insect farming in Europe could be an efficient use of resources to combat future famine.

But in warmer climes a main cause of famine is a lack of self-sufficiency in food. Generally insects are better suited to these climates, with faster rates of population growth. And like the article stated, they require less food and water to farm, and as a source of sustenance and you don’t have to eat as much to survive. And since it gives examples of insect farming in warmer environments, more insect farming is worth more thought.

Perhaps the difficulties ray m b raised could be overcome by harvest and consumption at pupae or the larvae stage which can last some years? E.g., witchety and bandi grubs or the long history of heliculture-

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/01/13-02.html ,
or learn harvest and enjoy rather intact or ground up - http://northlandfsc.blogspot.com/2011/03/crickets-theyre-not-just-for-breakfast.html

 

[WhoWee]

Certainly.

But I still refute the original claim that it is the distastefulness of eating insects that is a contributor to starvation.

Further, this idea doesn't really solve anything. Why would the local people be able to agrifarm bugs any better than any other food crop? They still need food, water, harvesting equipment etc.

The original idea of Dotini's might have been to take advantage of an existing unexploited food source, but we just refuted that and are back to the need to bring resources, technology, manpower and consumables into the picture.

I agree, this won't solve the problem. However, with proper education, harvesting could provide supplementary nutrition.

Anytime we start talking about large (unnatural) farming endeavors - I worry about unintended consequences.

 

[fuzzyfelt]

Anytime we start talking about large (unnatural) farming endeavors - I worry about unintended consequences.

That's reasonable. There would be many considerations, including insecticides.

 

[WhoWee]

That's reasonable. There would be many considerations, including insecticides.

Admittedly, I don't know much about termites, but harvesting them as a supplement sounds realistic in wooded areas. Additionally, I would think they could be grown most anywhere underground (to control temperature extremes) with some rotting wood (maybe sawdust?) and moisture?

 

[fuzzyfelt]

This seems related to the original statement.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9990715

Admittedly, I don't know much about termites, but harvesting them as a supplement sounds realistic in wooded areas. Additionally, I would think they could be grown most anywhere underground (to control temperature extremes) with some rotting wood (maybe sawdust?) and moisture?

I don’t know much about termites either, WhoWee, but it sounds worth further thought.

 

[WhoWee]

This seems related to the original statement.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9990715

I don’t know much about termites either, WhoWee, but it sounds worth further thought.

I found this:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120000437.htm

 

[fuzzyfelt]

Thanks WhoWee. The idea of farming farmers sounds very efficient!

 

[WhoWee]

Thanks WhoWee. The idea of farming farmers sounds very efficient!

Well, that's one way to look at it.