guest column:Robert Musundire & Anneli Sundin

There is a wealth of indigenous knowledge about capturing and eating insects in sub-Saharan Africa. But the development of edible insects as a food industry has been very slow, despite its many potential benefits.

Sustainability is one. Insects have a small carbon and water footprint. Studies show that insect farming emits less carbon and methane gas than large livestock like cattle and pigs.

Much less water is needed to produce the same amount of protein. Insects use feed more efficiently than other sources of animal protein. Farming them could be a new source of jobs and income.

There should be more awareness and promotion of insects as food for humans and as feed for animals, especially at the policy, legislative and business level. In most African nations, edible insects are still viewed as an insignificant source of food and even, in some instances, as food for the poor. There are very few success stories of large-scale insect farming and industrial use in Africa.

We have been involved in a project to promote the integrated use of insects as food in urban areas in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our project works on the edible insect value chain and discovered that the seasonal supply of insects and poor hygiene standards made the market unstable and unattractive to consumers. Traders sold insects in an informal setting and had little interaction with farmers.

We carried out training among farmers, traders, municipalities and others with an interest in this emerging industry. The training included how to handle and process insects after they were harvested, food safety along the value chain and farming crickets (Acheta domesticus and Gryllus bumaculatus).

The trainees have learnt how to rear and sell insects better and have become more aware of what a sustainable value chain should look like. For example, market facilities have to be clean and there must be a steady supply of insects. The training also created awareness of the need to farm insects rather than catching them in the wild. Catching insects can reduce insect populations dramatically when consumption increases. And there are no food safety standards for wild insects.

Together with the urban council in the town of Chinhoyi in Zimbabwe we built a model market structure where traders are selling their insects. Traders are selling some of the most popular edible insects; wild harvested mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina), termites (Macrotermes natalensis) and wild harvested crickets. Farmers are still building stocks of farmed crickets, but the plan is to sell farmed crickets in the near future. It is still too early to see the impact but one notable improvement is hygiene. The market has also helped women traders, who are the main group selling insects there. They have become more organised about their business.

We hope this will lead to an increase in consumer willingness to buy edible insects, and demonstrate best practice to other regions of Zimbabwe and beyond. Through our project, we have also helped insect traders and farmers to form industry associations.

Why insects are valuable

Insects are highly nutritious and contain protein, fat and energy in proportions similar to grains, vegetables and seeds. They are rich in macro minerals like calcium, sodium and magnesium and micro minerals like zinc, manganese, iron and copper, all of which should be part of a healthy diet. In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, these minerals come from fruits and vegetables, most of which are farmed seasonally. Edible insects could supply these minerals during seasons where there is less fruit and vegetable production.

They contain essential amino acids such as threonine, cysteine, valine, methionine and isoleucine. The recommended daily minimum intake of amino acids can be consumed by eating just 100 grams of the edible stink bug (Encosternum delegorguei), for example.

Earlier this year, parts of eastern and southern Africa were ravaged by Cyclone Idai. The cyclone destroyed crops and livestock, causing severe food shortages. We believe that in disaster-struck areas, edible insects can build resilience by being a food resource in recovery programmes and an alternative to traditional smallholder farming. There is an excellent example of that in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where orphanages have started insect farms to grow their own protein. The farms have helped decrease hunger and improve health among the orphans.

What needs to happen?

We were involved in setting up an international conference in Zimbabwe to discuss ways to foster the edible insects industry.

Research is required so that policy makers and those involved in the sector — farmers, processes, marketers and consumers — can make evidence-based decisions. This must happen across disciplines. Researchers should work with farmers and people in business to foster skills, innovation and enterprise. For example, they could develop business cases and scenarios.

Policy makers must understand that the sector is unique. Edible insects have not been categorised under any agricultural sub-sector such as crop or animal farming. On the African continent, they have not previously been farmed and treated as a commodity. That is why it would be helpful to establish and coordinate platforms such as meetings, workshops, exhibitions, magazines and websites.

Policy should also allow innovation and investment to happen at national, regional and international levels. Industry participants will need access to markets and credit.

Farmers, food and feed processors, traders and marketers must seize opportunities to invest and enter niche markets. They can also contribute to policy development and share knowledge about traditional ways of producing and eating insects.

There is momentum generated by several research and business initiatives that have been ignited in sub-Saharan Africa. And there is growing enthusiasm for using edible insects as alternative sources of protein and to build resilience against climatic shocks. It’s an essential step towards improving food security in the region.

By SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

AN ARMED member of the Presidential Guard has been arrested for committing a spate of robberies in the Masasa mining area in Mazowe last month.

The matter came to light at the Bindura Magistrates Courts yesterday where the suspect, Brighton Chizororo (30) of Chirwadzise village, Chief Ndanga in Masvingo appeared before magistrate Ethel Chichera facing robbery charges.

Chizororo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody to December 10 for trial.

Prosecutor Tariro Janhi alleged that on November 24, Chizororo and his accomplice only identified as Buju, who is still at large, armed themselves with an AK47 assault rifle, serial number ZA31605, loaded with 11 rounds, and a syjambok before storming Masasa Mine.

Upon arrival, the pair waylaid unsuspecting miners Chrispen Mahere (40) and Munyaradzi Masusu. Buju moved behind the miners wielding a syjambok while Chizororo pointed the rifle at them.

He cocked the rifle while ordering them to lie down and they complied.

He then allegedly demanded cash and was given $500 before ordering the miners to run from the scene.

The accused moved to another gold claim where they met Anold Chomusina (23) Maccani Mapiriyawo whom they robbed US$20 using the same modus operandi.

However, the miners teamed up after their misfortune and pursued the robbers. They caught up with Chizororo, disarmed him while his
accomplice varnished into darkness.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

FC PLATINUM gaffer Lizwe Sweswe says he is not frightened by Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel, who they host on Saturday in a Caf Champions League Group B encounter at Barbourfields Stadium.

The platinum miners got their campaign to a bad start after losing 2-1 at the hands of Sudanese Al Hilal last week in a match Sweswe felt they could have done better.

The 2019 Soccer Star of the Year finalist Never Tigere scored FC Platinum’s consolation goal. In a group that also includes Egyptian giants Al Ahly, the Zvishavane-based side is considered, on paper, the whipping boys.

However, Sweswe, who has been holding fort at FC Platinum since the departure of Norman Mapeza, believes they will slay one of the African big boys in the group.

The former Tsholotsho man is not reading much into Etoile du Sahel’s history, declaring that his side will be no push-overs.

“We need a win at home. They are a tough team. Looking at their past exploits, one can fear them, but we are not focusing much on their name because we risk losing focus,” Sweswe said.

“We need to approach this match high in confidence. Football is changing, any team can win and for us the message we have been telling the boys, is to remain focused. This competition is a game of points, the more points we get mean our chances of proceeding to the next stage. Winning all our home games will boost our chances to progress.”

The match is being played in Bulawayo because FC Platinum’s home ground, Mandava Stadium, does not meet Caf standards.

Etoile du Sahel are atop in Group B after beating Egyptians giants Al Ahly 1-0 courtesy of a Yassine Chikhaoui goal. FC Platinum are third following their defeat in the opening round of the campaign. Sweswe knows his boys will need to be at their penetrative best if they are to navigate their way past the North Africans who are well-known not only for their high endurance levels, but for their tact and physic.

And it will be interesting to see how Sweswe will set up his team, in particular the forward line.

In that department, he has Rodwell Chinyengetere, Gift Mbweti and Guyve Nsiala available while Lameck Nhamo and Perfect Chikwende remain out due to injury.

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

ZIM Musicians Football Club captain and popular dancehall chanter Shadreck “King Shaddy” Kwarire recently said musicians had realised the power of football to break barriers and build bridges among artistes.

The musician said he teamed up with colleagues to set up a football club in May this year to cement relations among artistes.

“With football, all musicians are grouped as one and teamwork is key. That also goes for our fans who will support us as one team,” he said.

“Before, we could not be comfortable to call each other and get together even at our homes, fearing that one would dis you after visiting you, but since the formation of this football team, we are socialising a lot and helping each other in times of trouble.”

King Shaddy said the team recently played a pivotal role when Emmanuel “Guspy Warrior” Manyeruke lost his grandmother and when Lady Squanda also lost a loved one.

The Amai Huni hitmaker said that the team received overwhelming support from families that could not attend their shows at nightclubs.

“This team has also made life easier for families to interact with their favourite artistes. Imagine having Peter Moyo, Shinsoman, Knox and Sniper, among others, in one team!” King Shaddy said.

He said as a musicians’ football club, they discouraged drug abuse which is reportedly prevalent in music and football circles.

by RICHARD MUPONDE

A SELF-PROCLAIMED Buhera prophet has landed himself in soup after he bedded a 13-year-old girl three times before she eloped with him.

Tafadzwa Mabanga (26) of Chief Chamutsa in Buhera pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Joshua Nembaware.

He was convicted and remanded in custody to today for sentence.

In mitigation, Mabanga pleaded for leniency and indicated that he wanted to marry the girl.

“You worship I am married with two children, one aged two years while the other is one-month old. I wanted to marry to the girl,” Mabanga said.

Prosecutor Gift Bikita told the court that sometime in August this year at around 4pm, Mabanga met the girl, who is aged 13 and doing Grade Six, on her way home from school and proposed love to her.

However, the girl turned down his proposal.

In October, he met her again while she was in the company of her friend and she accepted.

During the same month, the girl fell sick and went to his house for a prayer session and Mabanga lured her into his bedroom where he became intimate with her with her consent.

Last month, the girl asked for permission from her mother to go to church and it was granted.

She met Mabanga and they became intimate again after which he gave her $20.

The court heard that on November 18 at around 3pm, he went to the girl’s homestead in the absence of her parents and slept with her before buying her silence with $30.

The following day, the girl eloped to his homestead and they started staying together.

The matter came to light five days later after the girl’s mother gathered that she was staying with Mabanga and made a police report, leading to his arrest.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

ZIM Gossip Models agency founder Mercy “Catwalk” Mushaninga (pictured) yesterday described male models as trendsetters in the industry.

Speaking ahead of the 2019 edition of Mister Zimbabwe pageant where 15 models will battle for honours, Mushaninga said the models were dedicated and destined for success.

She said excellent character, good physique, great communication skills and deportment were critical traits for male models and dismissed claims that the majority of male models were gay.

“In every industry there are allegations of some sort, these are just allegations. I chose not to judge and discriminate people,” she said.

Mushaninga said preparations for the pageant, to be held under the theme Promoting Male Models through Modelling, were now at an advanced stage.

“As part of the Zimbabwe Models Awards, it has always been our drive to empower and support all male models in Zimbabwe and as Zimbabwe Models we would like male models to use this opportunity (Mister Zimbabwe) to push their brand to make them known both as a model and as a brand,” she said.

Two winners would be crowned this year — the king to be crowned by the judges and the prince to be voted by the public on the pageant’s voting platform.

Zimbabwe has had a long list of successful models including Jonathan Denga, Jefferson Muserera, Lungani Mkwebu, Tichaona “Tich” Maruziva and former Mister Zimbabwe King Rishi (2016), King Shadel (2017) and King Byron (2018).

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

HARARE Wetlands Trust (HWT) has engaged the Ministry of Environment to strengthen legislation reform with regards to the protection of wetlands.

HWT programmes manager Selestino Chari raised concern with Environment minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu at the stakeholders meeting last week.

The Harare Wetlands Trust said wetlands were being plundered in the capital and there was need to protect the water sources from further destruction and declare wetlands ecologically-sensitive areas. The organisation also called for the strengthening and reform of legislation which protects the wetlands.

“There is a need to strengthen and reform legislation with regards to the protection of wetlands. There is also an imperative need for the gazetting of the Harare wetlands map and the City of Harare should come up with a master plan as well as a local environmental action plan on the protection of wetlands,” Chari said.

According to the Environmental Management Act, wetlands must be declared ecologically-sensitive areas.

Chari added that the destruction of wetlands in Harare had resulted in the siltation of the capital’s main water source, Lake Chivero.

“Due to continued wetlands destruction in Harare, siltation of the capital’s main water source, Lake Chivero has rapidly increased. Wetlands destruction has also come with huge costs on water purification. Preserving wetlands will allow them to play their natural function of water purification, hence reducing costs associated with the purification of water.”

The HWT also encouraged the government to take a leaf from countries such as Kenya and Uganda that have implemented the Ramsar Convention recommendations on the restoration of wetlands.

“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has been issuing Environmental Impact Assessment certificates that have paved the way for construction on wetlands and all spaces issued with certificates are wetland areas. We urge the authority to declare Harare a wetland city.

There is a serious violation of the law that is leading to the destruction of wetlands in Harare. Some companies are proceeding with construction projects in the absence of Environmental Impact Assessment certificates and development permits,” Chari said.

He further submitted that the City of Harare must be compelled to consult stakeholders before proceeding to issue development permits and also emphasised the need to create a one-stop-shop for the issuance of Environmental Impact Assessment certificates to allow for objections from concerned stakeholders.

Ndlovu concurred with the HWT submissions saying in light of the dire water situation in the city, there was need to protect and prohibit the construction on wetlands to preserve the water sources.

“I do not think it is sustainable to continue building on wetlands. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been very clear on the need to protect our wetlands and we also need to enforce the legislation that we have to make sure we protect our wetlands. We will make our best efforts to bring critical stakeholders to the table so that we come up with an agreed position on wetlands protection,” he said.

Legislators have been urging the government to urgently launch a countrywide crackdown on developments on wetlands and to censure EMA for failing to act.