Food security remains a pressing concern in the face of an increasing world population and environmental challenges. As climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity continue to impact agricultural productivity, traditional livestock farming faces limitations in meeting the growing global demand for meat and dairy products. In this context, black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable food production. BSFL possess several advantages over conventional livestock, including their rapid growth, adaptability to various organic waste substrates, and low environmental impact. Their bioconversion rate, the ability to transform organic waste into valuable products, and final product optimization are key factors that enhance their potential as a nutrient-rich protein source, fertilizer, and biofuel. This review explores strategies to enhance the bioconversion rate and improve the end products derived from BSF treatment. It highlights the benefits of using BSFL over other interventions and underscores the significance of optimizing their bioconversion rate to meet the challenges of global food security sustainably. Despite the promising prospects of BSF-derived products, consumer acceptance and regulatory hurdles remain critical aspects to address in realizing their full market potential. The utilization of BSFL as a sustainable source of food and feed can contribute to waste management, reduce environmental pollution, and address the pressing issue of food security in an environmentally responsible manner. However, there is a need for further research and innovation to ensure the safety, quality, and economic viability of BSF-based products for both animal and human consumption.

Field surveys were conducted in three oil palm producing regions of Ghana to determine the frequency, population density and geographical distribution of plant parasitic nematodes associated with oil palm. Palms ranging from 4 to 12 years were surveyed during the peak periods of two successive cropping seasons of 2019 and 2020. A total of 64 soil and root samples were collected and plant parasitic nematodes extracted and identified from them. 716 mixed populations of 11 economically important plant-parasitic nematode genera were recovered and identified from both roots and soils during the period. These were Aphelenchus, Criconemoides, Helicotylenchus, Hemicriconemoides, Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Radopholus, Rotylenchus, Tylenchorynchus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema. Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus were the most frequently isolated and widely distributed geographically. Meloidogyne recovered from both soil and roots were 220 whilst Pratylenchus recovered were 129. These nematodes are very important pests of several crops, therefore, if not managed properly, could pose a threat to oil palm production in Ghana.