Thumbnail Image

Edible insects in Lao PDR: Building on tradition to enhance food security

Year of publication 2014

Pages 55

Author Hanboonsong, Y.; Durst, P.B.;Forestry Group

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Category Technical book

ISBN 978-92-5-108307-9 (print)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The percentage of the population of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic that regularly consumes insects is among the highest in the world. Most edible insects in Lao PDR are collected from wild habitats, and local people possess a rich body of traditional knowledge relating to harvesting practices, timing of collection and management of insect resources. Recently efforts have been made to introduce technologies for sustainable farming of selected insect species. This publication chronicles eff orts to enhance the contribution of edible insects to food security and improved nutrition in Lao PDR. It describes the most commonly consumed insects, details collecting and management practices, introduces the fledging insect farming sector, and presents experiences related to food safety, processing, handling, marketing and consumption of edible insects in Lao PDR.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Other document
    Six-legged livestock: Edible insect farming, collection and marketing in Thailand 2013
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The world's population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050. FAO estimates that global food production will need to expand by an estimated 60 percent from current levels. Meeting this massive additional demand will require concerted action on a number of fronts, including efforts to increase the production and consumption of currently under-utilized and under-appreciated foods. Edible insects compromise one such category. Insects offer several advantages as human food. They are extremely ric h in proteins, vitamins and minerals, and at the same time are highly efficient in converting the food they eat into material that can be consumed by humans. This publication provides insight into the collection and farming, processing, marketing and trade of edible insects in Thailand - one of the few countries in the world to have developed a viable and thriving insect farming sector.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Technical study
    Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2017
    Investing in Food systems for better nutrition
    2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The fight against hunger is slowing and as we reassess progress we are concerned that the number of hungry people in Asia and the Pacific region may have already begun to rise. This means that many countries in this region risk not meeting the 2030 target of ending food insecurity. Malnutrition and stunting among children below the age of five remains high in many countries in the region, with large disparities among population groups. More people in Asia and the Pacific region are moving tow ards healthier diets, although the availability of nutritious foods is still inadequate in many countries. However, on average, the consumption of food items considered unhealthy is also on the rise. A key challenge is to reorient food systems in a way that will help promote healthier diets through supportive food and trade policies, education and awareness campaigns. The special theme of this year’s report is Reducing Food Loss and Waste. Considerable analytical work has been und ertaken on this issue during the past 4-5 years, reaffirming the initial claims that reducing food loss and waste offers a triple win – for food security, higher income for farmers and supply chain actors, and the environment. The special section reviews existing knowledge on the extent of food loss and waste in the region, examines their definitions and measurement challenges, and considers existing policy/programme initiatives. One conclusion is that the data and available estimates are inadeq uate for establishing a baseline for the purpose of monitoring progress. FAO is finalizing some approaches that would help national statistics offices collect essential data and establish a baseline, which is essential for monitoring progress.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Factsheet
    Enhancing food and nutrition security in flood-affected areas in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - TCP/DRK/3605 2019
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    A devastating flood hit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the end of August 2016, inundating an extensive area of North HamgyongProvince, and causing extensive damage to farm production, homes, roads, public buildings and other critical infrastructure. The project aimed to address emergency needs to support the food and nutritional security of rural households in the most severely affected areas.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical book
    Developing an Asian regional strategy for sustainable smallholder dairy development
    Proceedings of an FAO/APHCA/CFC-funded workshop
    2008
    Also available in:
    Dairy consumption in Asia and the Pacific has more than doubled in the last 25 years, rising 4 percent annually to reach an estimated 248 million tonnes in 2008, more than one-third of global totals. International market prices of dairy products, rising well over twice their levels of one year ago, hold considerable opportunities for future dairy development in Asia. But the opportunities for smallholder dairy producers can only be understood within a wide range of influencing factors: economic, institutional, commercial, legal, technological and social. Effective strategies for enhancing the contribution by smallholders to growing livestock product demand is complicated by the fact that the specific constraints/opportunities facing the sector differ not only by country but by specific localities. Consequently, useful models of small and large-holder milk producers, which are characterized by the specific linkages within the value chain, need to be reviewed and analyzed. It is partic ularly important that the enabling factors which are critical in successfully forging linkages between smallholder suppliers, processing facilities and traditional markets for fluid milk and other locally acceptable dairy products be identified, weighted and ranked. The selection and promotion of acceptable models need to be based on local conditions, market access, cultural factors and consumption patterns. These models could range from enterprise-driven smallholder dairy operations in the Phil ippines and Viet Nam, to cooperative development in South Asia, to strengthening opportunities for subsistence farmers in Bangladesh. Responding to the need to stimulate investment opportunities for smallholder dairy producers in Asia, FAO in collaboration with partners organized a workshop in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 26 to 29 February 2008 representing 17 countries in the region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical study
    Appropriate food packaging solutions for developing countries 2014
    Also available in:
    The study was undertaken to serve as a basis for the international congress Save Food!, taking place from 16 to 17 May 2011, at the international packaging industry fair Interpack2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Save Food! has been co organized by Interpack2011 and FAO, aiming to raise awareness on global food losses and waste. In addition, Save Food! brings to the attention of the international packaging industry the constraints faced by the small- and medium-scale food processing industries in dev eloping countries to obtain access to adequate packaging materials which are economically feasible. This revised edition, dated 2014, contains a new section on investment opportunities in developing countries (paragraph 3.7).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Programme / project report
    Appropriate food packaging solutions for developing countries 2011
    Also available in:
    The study was undertaken to serve as a basis for the international congress Save Food!, taking place from 16 to 17 May 2011, at the international packaging industry fair Interpack2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Save Food! has been co organized by Interpack2011 and FAO, aiming to raise awareness on global food losses and waste. In addition, Save Food! brings to the attention of the international packaging industry the constraints faced by the small- and medium-scale food processing industries in dev eloping countries to obtain access to adequate packaging materials which are economically feasible.
Show more