By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service
More information: Insect Farming Initiative, entomology@ksu.edu
Related: Insect Farming Initiative
Could efforts to raise and breed insects – crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies and the like – help to feed the world?
Kansas State University entomologist Brian McCornack thinks they can, so much so that he’s part of a group that is raising awareness about the value of insect farming, the Insect Farming Initiative (IFI). The initiative will officially begin in November 2025.
“Insect farming is the practice of raising and breeding insects as commodities, or to support other agrifood systems,” McCornack said.
McCornack said insects are rich in protein and essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, making them a viable nutritional supplement for livestock feed. Compared to traditional protein sources, insects require fewer resources (water and space), with high feed conversion efficiency and lower environmental impacts, aligning with efforts towards a more resource-efficient food and feed system.
Typical uses of insects in agriculture include feed for pet animals, especially reptiles and birds; and as supplemental feed for poultry and aquaculture.
But, McCornack notes, “researchers also are discovering innovative ways to use farmed insects, such as extraction of products like lipids, and delivering treatments and therapeutics for livestock.”
“A worldwide concern is how to feed an increasing human population, which is predicted to reach 9 billion people by 2037,” McCornack said. “Insects can be used to convert low-value side streams and agricultural byproducts into high-value end products, such as high-protein, low-impact feed for livestock, poultry and fish.”
Insects, he adds, can break down agricultural waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be returned to the soil, supporting sustainable farming practices.
“We want people, especially agricultural producers, to know that we understand that the pressures on traditional agriculture are driving changes in food and feed practices,” McCornack said. “Insect farming offers practical, resource-efficient solutions to some of agriculture’s biggest challenges. Insect farming is a way to turn waste into value, create new revenue streams, and build more resilient food systems.
“It’s not about replacing traditional farming practices; it’s about adding new tools to the toolbox. Ultimately, we want to help lay the groundwork for a more circular and vibrant agricultural economy in Kansas, one where insects play a supporting role in enhancing productivity, reducing waste and creating new business opportunities,” McCornack said.
Beyond feed and food, insects are versatile organisms, McCornack said. They can also be used in fertilizers and even industrial applications like biodegradable plastics.
“Their potential stretches far beyond what most people imagine,” he said. “As awareness grows, there’s an opportunity for rural communities and farmers to be at the forefront of a production system that’s both environmentally smart and economically promising.”
If you’re interested in being a part of the Insect Farming Initiative, please email entomology@ksu.edu. We need all kinds of partners from community members, extension agents, 4-H programmers, agriculture economists, biologists and beyond. Everyone is welcome.
More information is available online at https://entomology.k-state.edu/insectfarming.
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