Socio-cultural practices on the use of beetle grubs as food and feed in western Kenya

We examined the socio-cultural practices on the use of beetle grubs as food and feed in western Kenya by interviewing 211 randomly selected households and conducting seven focus group discussions in Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, and Trans Nzoia counties. The grubs were used as food and feed in ~ 39% and 78% of the households, respectively. The perceived benefits of the grubs for human consumption were nutritiousness and no linkage to allergies. The grubs were perceived to enhance animal weight gain and increase poultry egg laying. They were also perceived to recycle nutrients from organic waste, and clean the environment. Toasting and roasting were the dominant methods of preparing the grubs. Lack of knowledge on the grub nutritional benefits and stigma were key deterrents to their consumption. About 66% of the respondents expressed willingness to farm the grubs if the market and rearing protocols are available. Almost 98% of the respondents lacked knowledge of the beetle biology, indicating limited capacity to conserve them. The practices on the use of beetle grubs as food and feed differed across counties and by gender, age, marital status and education level. Strategies for sustainable use of the grubs as food and feed have been proposed and new research directions highlighted.