Consumption and preparation modalities of edible caterpillars in the Republic of the Congo

The purpose of the present paper is to assess the consumption of caterpillars in the Republic of the Congo in order to develop strategies to address the problem of food insecurity in households. To achieve this, three cross-sectional food consumption surveys were carried out in three departments of the Republic of the Congo, namely the Brazzaville department, the Pointe Noire department and the Sangha department, more precisely in the Pokola locality. Statistical tests
were used in the results analysis. From our study, it emerged that all the social categorizes consume caterpillars. The rate and frequency of caterpillars consumption varies from one locality to another ; it decreases the further one moves away from the production localities. The average consumption rate is of 62.1 %, with an average frequency of 3 days per week. Several factors explain this low frequency of caterpillar consumption, the main ones being the dietary habits and low of caterpillars production. A variety of ways of preparing caterpillars for cooking were observed in the different localities, with Gnetum africanum as the main accompanaying leafy vegetable. Thus, the participation of caterpillars in the households food security in necessary, but still insufficient, requiring strategies to increase their production, as well as their participation in the foods upplementation of low nutritional values.

Jaar van publicatie:2021

Toegankelijkheid:Open