Sustainable Use of Macrotermes spp. to Improve Traditional Poultry Farming through an Efficient Trapping System in Burkina Faso

Abstract

This study aimed to promote the use of termites as feed in traditional poultry farming by developing sustainable and inexpensive termite trapping techniques. Various tests were carried out in Burkina Faso to improve the traditional technique of trapping termites of the genus Macrotermes using a reversed container filled with organic matters. We studied the effect of containers’ types, substrates, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season on the quantity of termites trapped. Calabashes and terra cotta pots trapped more termites than iron boxes, but calabashes were quickly destroyed by termites. The quantity of termites harvested increased proportionally with the volume of the pot and was higher in a cultivated habitat than in a forest, despite the higher number of termite mounds in the forest. The quantity of termites harvested was lowest in the cold-dry season and highest during the rainy season, however, sizeable amounts of termites were collected throughout the year. Among six substrates and mixtures of substrates tested, maize cobs trapped the highest number of termites and cow dung the lowest. The best time of harvest varied among seasons and, if substrates are abundant, it is more efficient to empty the containers on a daily basis.

Termites as human foods—A comprehensive review

“…According to Lee et al (2012), the size of termitariums was divided into three categories: small (h ≤ 20 cm; Ø ≤ 50 cm), medium (h = 21-40 cm; Ø = 51-80 cm), and large (h ≥ 41 cm; Ø = 81 cm). The small termitariums of the Trinervitermes and Cubitermes genera are examples of termites that can be completely removed using a tool like a hoe or a pickaxe (Boafo et al, 2019;Dao et al, 2022). The initial step in this method is to check for termite traces, such as in mud sheeting and ground runways.…”

“…Management techniques for the natural diet (host plants) of edible insects should also be developed to provide sustainable food to them (DeFoliart, 1995). According to Dao et al (2022), the use of reversed pots to trap and collect termites in the wild contributes to termitarium protection and biodiversity preservation in the long term because it has no impact on their populations. Additionally, management interventions to ensure a steady supply of host plants and maintain their natural habitat should also be established.…”

Insects Such as Termites Hold a Promising Future for the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

“…These techniques, however, are based on the termite genus. The two most efficient techniques for Macrotermes are fractional termite mound demolition and trapping [13]. The majority of farmers that collect termites for animal feed use a variety of environmentally friendly trapping techniques that protect termite mounds [22].…”

“…Furthermore, termites have contributed significantly to the staple foods of the majority of African and Asian countries, where there are more than 2.5 billion insect eaters [2]. They are among the most nourishing insects and the second most consumed insect order after Orthoptera [13]. They have been thoroughly examined for great quality and quantity of lipids, crude protein, and fatty acids.…”

Edible insects: Challenges and prospects

“…To a limited extent, it was also used as feed for animals. For example, one of the indigenous methods was to put an inverted calabash with straw, manure and fruit remains on a termite trail, and after a few weeks the content with the termites was emptied for the chicks (Dao et al 2022). However, now the focus is on replacing fishmeal or soy as feed ingredient with insects.…”