Edible insects as a valuable human food resource: A study of the perceptions of young Indian people

The consumption of insects by humans is an age-old practice that is followed by many cultures of the world. Insects are one of the best sources of animal protein and have been the traditional food of many tribes around the world. The provisioning of sufficient food for the growing world population is a serious concern. Raising insects for human and animal consumption has a relatively lower environmental impact, and hence, it could be used as one of the strategies for feeding people. In urban regions, people are mostly repulsed by the prospect of edible insect consumption, which is mainly due to their cultural and religious beliefs. Currently, India has a huge population of young people. This study was conducted to find out the perceptions of young Indians regarding edible insects. It revealed that most of the participants of the study, due to their various beliefs, are not willing to accept insects as human food.