Edible insects have been considered as either nutritious food itemsper se, or as wholesome ingredients to various dishes and components of traditional subsistence. Protein, fat, mineral and vitamin contents in insects generally satisfy the requirements of healthy food, although there is considerable variation associated with insect species, collection site, processing method, insect life stage, rearing technology and insect feed. A comparison of available data(based on dry weight) showed that processing can improve the nutrient content, taste, flavour, appearance and palatability of insects, but that there are additional factors, which can impact the content and composition of insect species that have been recommended for consumption by humans. This review focuses on factors that have received little attention in connection with the task to improve acceptability or choice of edible insects and suggests ways to guarantee food security in countries where deficiencies in protein and minerals are an acute and perpetual problem. This review is meant to assist the food industry to select the most suitable species as well as processing methods for insect-based food products.

Food security is a problem in many developing and less developed countries due to increase in human population and decrease in crop productivity and food availability. Edible insects are a natural renewable resource of food providing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. As such, entomophagy is common in ethnic groups in South America, Mexico, Africa and Asia, where indigenous insects are easily available and are consumed in various forms (raw/processed) or used as an ingredient or supplement in modern recipes. Entomophagy therefore offers an opportunity to bridge the protein gap of human foods irrespective of a few constraints that are discussed. Concerning food security, more attention is needed to assess and revalidate entomophagy in the context of modern life. Further research would be necessary to exploit insect biodiversity and ethno-entomophagy, stop overexploitation of these insects, and initiate actions for insect conservation.

Grain of various species of millet is a staple food of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and China. In addition, millet is used as poultry and cattle feed in the United States, and the foliage is fodder for cattle in India. The crop is damaged by at least 150 insect pests during its growth and development. Although the current status of all of these pests is not known, shoot flies, stem borers, leaf-sucking, and the panicle-attacking insects are considered economically important. Control measures include the application of synthetic pesticides (as both seed treatment and foliar applications) and cultural methods (timing of planting and field sanitation). Host plant resistance (screening of genotypes and breeding of pest-tolerant/resistant cultivars), and biological control (conservation of natural enemies and periodical releases of the larval parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor) have received much attention in recent years. Integrating available pest control options has been recommended, along with further adoption of new crop cultivation technologies by small and resource-poor farmers.

Minor food crops, often known as “poor man's crops,” are currently neglected or underutilized and have become extinct or rare. These crops can, however, contribute substantially to nutritional security in poor communities as they contain essential and trace elements and thrive in harsh climatic and poor soil conditions and show tolerance to water stress, weeds, pests, and diseases. Genetic improvement for food value is therefore needed so as to minimize hunger, malnourishment, and underfeeding. This would be possible with regional and international cooperation for intensive studies, development, and extension.

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) cultivation is generally cost-effective and profitable for small and marginal farmers in India. However, crop productivity is affected by the damage from pests and plant pathogens. From seedling till capsule harvesting, leaf sap-sucking insects and mites, defoliators, capsule feeding insects; bacterial and fungal diseases and root-knot nematodes attack the crop at various stages of growth and deteriorate plant health. Currently, synthetic pesticides are being applied extensively. Considering side effects of chemicals, other control measures are considered in this review. Findings of greenhouse and the field trials are discussed, and the efficient, economic and eco-friendly management has been elaborated.