Meet the Man Who’s Making it Big from Cockroach Farming

Insects may appear to be filthy, nasty, and obnoxious critters that spread diseases from one source to another, but they are far more valuable. Some people in Africa have realised this and are making it big from cockroach farming. According to the World Bank, this kind of breeding could be the solution to the continent’s hunger, poverty, and environmental crisis.

In addition to the economic benefits, insect farming is considered to have high nutritional value, as it combats deficiency, which affects one out of every five individuals on the continent.

Insect consumption has a long tradition in Africa, but insect cultivation is relatively new. Africa consumes nearly a quarter of the 2,100 bug species that have been identified as edible around the world.

Meet Lusius Kawogo

Approximately 18 edible bug species have been found as viable for farming and upscaled production for animal feed or direct human consumption from thousands of edible insect species.

Cockroaches are one of these insects. This style of farming is becoming increasingly popular across Africa.

People have been eating insects and hydroponic crops for hundreds of years, according to online reports. However, growing them is a new concept.

Lusius Kawogo is a cockroach breeding pioneer in Tanzania. In the eyes of the man, the six-legged insects are gold. He’s making it big through cockroach farming.

“People thought I was mad when I started farming cockroaches and now it earns me a good living”, said Lusius Kawogo.

Cockroaches, on the other hand, appear to be sweeping the East African nation.

A story about prominent Tanzanian singer and model Saumu Hamisi’s love of healthy cockroaches went viral last month.

She stated the insects tasted like fish or white flesh, and that she roasted, kebab, or fried them with coconut oil.

Customers from outside Tanzania are now inquiring about the bugs, according to Mr Kawogo. However, he stated that most Tanzanians are yet to accept this form of farming.

“I wish we had a few people interested in raising cockroaches so we could supply enormous quantities.”

Cockroaches have a lot of nutritional value, according to a specialist at Dar es Salaam’s Muhimbili National Hospital.

“Cockroaches are high in proteins, fat, vitamin B12 and zinc, which help with building immunity”, nutritionist Scolastica Mlinga said.

READ MORE: Here is Why Cockroach Farming is Africa’s New Oil