Japanese media: Breeding insects is a new way to alleviate the world's food shortage

On January 6, the reference news network reported that Japan's "Yomiuri Shimbun" published a report by reporter Sho Mizuno on January 5 that in the context of population growth and widening economic disparities, the tight food supply situation in the world will continue in the future. In response to the increased demand for food, some new practices have attracted attention.

In the research room of KEIL, an insect processing company in Seoul, the newspaper reporter saw a breeding tank with thousands of insects squirming. Carefully reaching in and touching it, a few centimeters of wheat-colored insects climbed up together. The soft touch gives you goosebumps.

President Kim Yong-wook of the research office handed the Yomiuri Shimbun a nutritious food in the shape of a small stick. When he tasted the lingonberry-flavored food, the president said, "You can't eat it with insects, can you?" ”

The company buys pseudo-walking insects and crickets from farmers, processes them into powder or oil, and mixes them with other ingredients to make foods that don't taste like insects.

Insects are often rich in high-quality protein and fat, but also contain nutrients that supplement vitamins and iron, so they are becoming increasingly popular. KEIL developed products made from pseudo-walker powder and cricket extracts, and in 2018 achieved sales of 1 billion won (about $900,000), ranking among the top in the industry.

KEIL recently began selling dog food containing pseudo-walking insect powder in supermarkets in Hong Kong. President Kim said confidently, "Commodities are becoming more and more popular in the local area. In the future, we also plan to launch food for human consumption in China and asia. ”

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 820 million people ( about 10% of the world 's population ) suffered from chronic malnutrition in 2017 , with asia being the most severe, with more than 500 million people malnourished. According to the United Nations, the world's population is increasing, and the production of food for people or livestock feed is only 2.5 billion tons, making it difficult to continue to grow, and recently even below consumption. In a report, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said: "In the 21st century, eating insects is conducive to population growth and increased protein consumption. ”

Not only in South Korea, but also in Congo (Brazzaville) have also conducted research on insect breeding and processing, and Weevil farming has also begun in Laos.

Dog food produced and sold by KEIL (KEIL website)