This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
As the world population is projected to surge to 9.2 billion by 2050, the demand for protein sources is expected to increase significantly. In Kenya, researchers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have identified a potential solution in the form of Longhorn Grasshoppers, also known as Senene in Swahili.
According to a recent symposium held at JKUAT on December 11, 2019, the Longhorn Grasshopper is a highly underutilized resource in Kenya, with high commercial value. In fact, in Tanzania, Senene is a popular delicacy, especially during the swarming season, with a half-cup selling for approximately Sh600 when out of season and Sh300 during the swarming season, as noted by Mercy Mmari, a food nutritionist from Tanzania.
The researchers at JKUAT have established that the Longhorn Grasshopper has a high protein content of 37.1% and 35.3% for the green and brown grasshoppers, respectively, as well as a rich nutritional composition, including fat, ash, and fibre content. Additionally, the researchers are exploring the medicinal properties and aphrodisiac properties associated with the Longhorn Grasshopper, following a high recommendation from mass consumers in Uganda and Tanzania.
Prof David Mulati, the Principal of the College of Pure and Applied Sciences at JKUAT, expressed his delight at hosting the symposium, which confirmed the confidence international researchers have in the university's efforts in promoting such research. Dr John Kinyuru, a Food and Nutrition specialist and lecturer at JKUAT, noted that handlers need to have insight into the animal behavior to rear them in mass production for commercial or food purposes.
