An Exploration of Edible Palm Weevil Larvae (Akokono) as a Source of Nutrition and Livelihood: Perspectives From Ghanaian Stakeholders
- 2 October 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Food and Nutrition Bulletin
- Vol. 38 (4), 455-467
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572117723396
Abstract
Background: Meeting the nutritive needs of infants and young children is a challenge in Ghana. Alternative animal source foods, including insects, could enhance infant and young child dietary quality while also improving livelihoods. Objective: To investigate the perspectives of Ghanaian stakeholders on the acceptability of the palm weevil larvae ( akokono) as a food source and the feasibility of micro-farming this local edible insect as a complementary food for infants and young children. Methods: We conducted an ethnographic study in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. First, 48 caregivers were asked questions about feeding and care practices, including attitudes toward production and consumption of akokono. Then, a selection of previously interviewed respondents joined 1 of 8 focus group discussions to provide further insight on key themes that emerged from earlier interviews. Concurrently, interviews with 25 other key local stakeholders were conducted. Results: Respondents generally had favorable perceptions of akokono as a nutritious food. A small minority would not consume akokono for religious reasons. Key factors positively influencing the acceptability of akokono as a complementary food were familiarity with the consumption of akokono by the primary caregiver and health worker endorsement of akokono. Stakeholders consider the larvae farmable and were open to its domestication. Conclusions: Anticipated barriers to scaling up akokono micro-farming include a need for greater familiarity with and acceptance of the insect as food for infants and young children and creation of a sustainable market. Engagement with stakeholders, including health workers, will facilitate use of akokono as a complementary food.Keywords
Funding Information
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA.
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Are edible insects more or less ‘healthy’ than commonly consumed meats? A comparison using two nutrient profiling models developed to combat over- and undernutritionEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2015
- The Potential for Entomophagy to Address UndernutritionEcology of Food and Nutrition, 2014
- Nutrition-sensitive interventions and programmes: how can they help to accelerate progress in improving maternal and child nutrition?The Lancet, 2013
- Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countriesThe Lancet, 2013
- Nutritional composition and safety aspects of edible insectsMolecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2013
- Potential of Insects as Food and Feed in Assuring Food SecurityAnnual Review of Entomology, 2013
- Chemical Evaluation of African Palm Weevil,Rhychophorus phoenicis, Larvae as a Food SourceJournal of Insect Science, 2011
- An Exploration on Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Production by Insect Species Suitable for Animal or Human ConsumptionPLOS ONE, 2010
- The Importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Palm-weevil Cultivation in the Venezuelan AmazonJournal of Ethnobiology, 2009
- Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F) Larva Meal: Nutritional Value and Health ImplicationsJournal of Biological Sciences, 2008