Honey and numerous species
of insects, particularly termites, cicada, some species of grasshopper
and the larvae of the Saturniidae emperor moth are widely eaten in Malawi
and are good sources of food and income to the rural communities. Bee-keeping
and caterpillar utilisation (Matondo and Virungulungu) inside Kasungu National
Park earn the local subsistence farmers around the park more (MK1015/ha)
income than conventional agricultural enterprises, such as maize, groundnuts
and beans (MK417/ha) at 1991 Kwacha rates.
Bee-keeping and Saturniidae
caterpillar utilisation require minimum labour inputs, and are based on
the traditional practices, while the productivity of agricultural enterprises
depends on high input outlays (labour, fertilizer, high quality seed and
chemicals for pest control) that an average smallholder farmer cannot afford. |
