Eating insects in many tropical countries in Africa, southeast Asia or Latin America is a well established practice. Could this become a viable farming activity for countries in the northern hemisphere? What would be then insect species that may be successfully grown in north America and Europe?
Insect defeat in some continents or regions is actually known but not very common. Insect defeat is a matter of more tradition where they are eaten. These people eat an insect, which is usually a normal habit for them. However, it is not possible to make food culture in places that do not host their eating in their own culture. It is not possible to create a general nutrition culture. It is also not necessary. It is adopted by the culture that comes from the traditions of the societies' own nutrition culture. It is impossible to traditionalize something disgusting to some, such as eating bugs. However, in order not to die, it can be eaten. In the world of the future, eating insects will only continue in societies that have been culturally normalized.
The species that seem to convert waste into edible body mass most rapidly I believe are those that move through the material in worm form. An exception to this, I believe, are crickets which in practice spend significant growth time in an adult-resembling form.
Some outlets: (1) Mashed insect powder sold as a protein additive to agricultural feed lots. Vast market potential here but currently not price competitive with alternate source of additive macros. (2) Powder sold for inclusion in specialty human foods. (3) Powder sold as-is to niche market. (4) Whole insects (freeze-dried) sold on line. (5) Whole insects sold direct to specialty high end niche restaurants.
While example #5 above gets the steady trickle of documentary pop culture attention, #1 probably offers the greatest opportunity for demand. I predict that within various health tribes eventually some influencers will make their experimentation with insect products known which will in turn get #3 and #4 going in earnest (especially if on a commission basis with promoter/influencer). Availability as a powder should matter significantly. People globally spend billions on whatever tasteless pills and powders they understand to be healthy.
A recent article:
https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/12/millions-of-tons-of-insects-for-animal-feed-by-2030-for-hyper-efficient-food-sources.html
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