Implementation of edible insect programmes in developing countries to improve food security: findings from a training initiative and a train-the-trainer programme

Abstract Background In 2013, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released a report explaining the potential of nutrient-dense and environmentally friendly edible insects to help reduce malnutrition and feed the growing world population. The MealFlour programme started in Guatemala in July, 2016, with the goal of increasing access to protein, reducing malnutrition, and improving food security. MealFlour and local organisations partnered to teach people how to make in-home mealworm farms and how to process mealworms into a protein-rich powder. Mealworm powder is easily incorporated into existing recipes, and can be sold as a source of income. Here, we describe the MealFlour programme and train-the-trainer programme that aims to create a community of mealworm farmers in Guatemala. Methods MealFlour worked with local partner organisations that have existing outreach programmes in communities with food insecurity in Quetzaltenango, Chimaltenango, and Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The partners identified community leaders, health workers, or teachers who were interested in participating in a train-the-trainer programme. Bilingual trainers were included (Spanish and Mayan languages) to reach indigenous populations. Trainers participated in a 6-month programme of five classes, weekly home visits, and monthly focus groups. MealFlour's local partners help conduct long-term monitoring and evaluation of the programme. We measure farm success and the improvements in health, income, and diet. Findings MealFlour has worked with five partner organisations, introduced mealworm farming to 296 people, and helped five families set up a farm through the initial training programme, and an additional ten families through a train-the-trainer model. Because of the climate in the western highlands of Guatemala, the initial MealFlour programme yielded no output of mealworms for several months until participants discovered solutions to improve the farms and shared these during structured focus groups. All five participants in the initial training programme retained farming knowledge from the classes. Evaluation of farm outputs and effects on nutrition is ongoing. Community leaders in the train-the-trainer programme in Chimaltenango expressed interest in mealworm farming despite the small culture of eating insects in this region. Their outreach is ongoing to recruit other interested community members. In Huehuetenango, there is a robust culture of eating insects and there is interest in home-grown edible insects to increase access to protein. Interpretation The main ongoing challenge in the MealFlour programme is optimising farm output in the varying Guatemalan climates while using low-cost materials. Future edible insect programmes should set up test farms with local partners to adapt the process to varying climates, do acceptability studies, and involve participants in the design of the farms and best practices for the farming process. Future studies should analyse the risk of reliance on only one insect species. Funding The Resolution Project, HealthRoots Foundation, The University of Chicago.