Abstract
Insects and insect farming in particular have been suggested to be the solution to issues of no
income and food insecurity. In addition to insects being farmed for food, they can be farmed
for animal feed. Households without an income can farm insects for feed, and the resulting
income from the sale of the feed can be used to assist with household needs and food purchases.
In addition to the insects being beneficial because they provide food and feed, farming them is
friendlier to the environment, costs less, and is easier to farm in urban households.
Although the benefits of mini-livestock farming are understood, it can be appreciated that it
can also potentially be used as a tool for income generation for poor households. Little is
known, however, about how insects can be farmed in urban households, particularly those with
little resources for the task. This dissertation examines the ways in which crickets can be farmed
over a period of time in urban households. The study aims to determine if mini-livestock
farming for income generation can be a practical solution to implement in urban South Africa.
In addition, the dissertation expresses the specific ways that insects can be farmed, from the
construction of the farm to the adjustments that must be undertaken throughout the different
stages of farming.
M.A. (Development Studies)