A growing world population is increasing the demand for food and animal protein. However, traditional meat production requires a lot of space and natural resources. Alternative, sustainable sources of protein, such as insects, can provide a solution offer. Also, by-product streams, which are currently little or not utilised, can serve as feed for breeding insects. Unlike conventional farm animals, there is hardly any knowledge about breeding insects and how they contribute to a circular food system.
While young people in primary and secondary schools learn about the workings of conventional farms, little attention is still paid to the breeding of insects and their uses.
The objective of the project is specifically to raise awareness of the opportunities of insects regarding sustainable food and circular food systems among children and young people.
By the development of both theoretical and practical teaching modules that can be used in primary and secondary schools, it seeks to educate children and young people about insects, their breeding and their uses.
Through a participatory process in collaboration with primary and secondary school students, some of the insect cultures launched. With this, the project aims to answer the following question together with the students: Which cultivation of insects will be practically feasible as well as promising with a view to applications in processing waste streams and as an alternative high-value protein source? Can it residual substrate of insect breeding, known as frass, are in turn used as fertiliser?
By involving children and young people closely in the process, the rural experience is enhanced. People are informed about the possibilities and future prospects of insects in a participatory manner.
