Prof. Karon Barragán-Fonseca
Using insects to transform food systems with aquatic foods: scaling up production of sustainable aquatic foods as key for achieving food security, nutrition and livelihoods as well as to promote peace. Contributing to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), 14 (life below water), 15 (life on land), 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). Food security, within planetary boundaries, requires a creative novel approach; not a simple increase in production. Food waste can be used to produce insects, such as black soldier fly larvae, as feed for livestock such as poultry and fish thus changing a linear production system to a circular one.
This was done with smallholder farmers in Kenya. Black soldier flies can transform organic residual streams into high quality protein for fish feed. Producing black soldier flies can provide a livelihood to smallholder farmers. The developments in Kenya are an inspiration for post-conflict Colombia where ex-insurgents are settling as farmers to re-integrate into society.