Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)

In this innovative project, two tonnes of edible, nutritious caterpillars are bred for human consumption each year. This boosts the food security of 30 rural communities south of the capital city, Kinshasa. The caterpillars and related products can also be sold at local markets, creating income for families and further raising awareness about the breeding of caterpillars in the region. To ensure there is enough food available for the caterpillars to breed, large areas of land are forested with shrubs and trees. This improves biodiversity, creates fertile soil, protects against floods and establishes suitable conditions for beekeeping. The project is the only one of its kind in the world and is the first to trial the commercial breeding of edible caterpillars, which are a prized source of nutrition in large parts of Africa. Better and more protein-rich nutrition will make the population healthier, while the additional income can, for example, be used to pay children’s school fees.