Is Insect Eating Festival a Viable Strategy in Promoting Entomophagy? An Investigation in Marawi City, Philippines

Leo M. Aguanta

Abstract


The practice of eating insects by people otherwise known as entomophagy is not widely adopted in the Philippines unlike in some countries where insects are regularly eaten as protein source. Researchers are now considering the integration of entomophagy in the ways and means of achieving food security. In view of this, the Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi City, Philippines conducted Insect Eating Festivals (IEF) to provide students with direct and concrete experience in using edible insects as a substitute for animal protein source. This study was conducted to determine the conception, consumption of edible insects and significant change in consciousness among participants in the pre and post IEF. Data were collected from the participants through survey questions and subjected to descriptive and t-test analysis. It was found that Chinese grasshopper (Oxyachinensis) (37%), rice and corn weevils (Sitophilus oryzae and S. zeamais) (22%), and earwigs and ants (undetermined spp.) (21%) were the edible insects consumed at IEF. The significant change in participants’ consciousness level after IEF on edibility of insects and as protein source reveals the viability of IEF as entomophagy promotion strategy.


Keywords


consciousness, edible insects, entomophagy, protein source, viable strategy

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References


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