Termites are commonly used by smallholder farmers in West Africa to feed their poultry. A survey was carried out among poultry farmers in Burkina Faso to gather knowledge on the traditional methods used to obtain termites for poultry feed, to assess which termite genera are collected with which techniques and evaluate prospects for optimising and improving the collection and trapping methods. Data were collected among 1100 poultry farmers in eight regions of Burkina Faso on the harvesting techniques, the termite species and their local names as well as on the use of residues. After the interviews, termite samples were collected with the farmers and identified in the laboratory. At least five termite species were found. Species of the genera Odontotermes, Trinervitermes and Macrotermes are commonly given to chickens and guinea fowls whereas a Cubitermes species is sometimes used to feed guinea fowls. Two categories of methods are used to obtain termites, the direct collection by breaking termite mounds and the trapping of termites in containers filled with organic matters. The harvesting method varies with the termite genus, the region and the season. Different techniques with various types of containers and organic matters are used in the country and these techniques should be tested and compared to recommend the most efficient ones. The enhancement of termite trapping methods and their integration in poultry feed have the potential to significantly improve traditional poultry farming in Burkina Faso.

The purpose of this study, carried out in eight regions in Burkina Faso, West Africa, was to assess the use and knowledge of termites in poultry nutrition in Burkina Faso and to analyse the factors influencing this use. Household surveys were conducted to collect data on the socio-demographic characteristics of poultry farmers and the use of termites in poultry feed. These surveys involved 1,100 farmers in 32 villages. Poultry farmers mostly raise chicken and guinea fowls and these two species are also those that receive termites as supplementary feed. 78% of the surveyed farmers use termites to feed their poultry, but the rate strongly varied among regions and provinces. Several reasons were given for not using termites, the most common being the unavailability of termites followed by the lack of time and not being aware of the technique. Farmers were aware of termite species they consider as toxic in feeding chicks. Understanding the link between the use and availability of termites in poultry nutrition in West Africa is an important step towards the improvement of poultry production.

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.

En Afrique de l’Ouest, les termites sont communément utilisés comme alimentation protéinique pour la volaille. Cette étude avait pour objectif de tester et d’améliorer une méthode traditionnelle de collecte des termites par piégeage avec un récipient renversé, au Nord du Burkina Faso. Des essais ont été menés avec deux genres de termites (Macrotermes et Odontotermes) afin d’évaluer l’effet des saisons, des substrats, des récipients et de l’exposition au soleil sur leur piégeage. Six substrats ont été utilisés avec trois types de récipients (en terre cuite, en fer et en plastique) pour collecter les termites. Les résultats ont montré que le canari en terre cuite est le meilleur récipient pour la collecte des termites. Les meilleurs substrats pour capturer les Macrotermes, ont été les substrats contenant des tiges de sorgho et, pour les Odontotermes, les substrats contenant la bouse de vache. L’exposition des pièges au soleil a eu un effet négatif significatif sur les Odontotermes, mais pas sur les Macrotermes. Ces résultats peuvent aider les aviculteurs à améliorer le piégeage des termites en utilisant le récipient et les substrats les plus adéquats et en protégeant leur piège du soleil.Mots clés : Termites, aliments pour volaille, Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Burkina Faso. English Title: Evaluation of termite trapping methods in northern Burkina Faso In West Africa, termites are commonly used as a protein feed for poultry. The objective of this study was to test and improve a traditional method of trapping termites with an overturned container in northern Burkina Faso. Trials have been conducted with two termite genera (Macrotermes and Odontotermes) to assess the effect of seasons, substrates, containers and sun exposure on their trapping. Six substrates were used with three types of containers (terracotta, iron and plastic) to collect termites. The results showed that the terracotta container is the best container for collecting termites. The best substrates for Macrotermes were the substrates containing sorghum stalks and, for Odontotermes, the substrates containing cow dung. Exposure of the traps to the sun had a significant negative effect on Odontotermes, but not on Macrotermes. These results can help poultry farmers improve termite trapping by using the most suitable container and substrates and protecting their trap from the sun.Keywords: Termites, poultry feed, Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Burkina Faso.

In Africa, insects have long been used as human food and animal feed. This practice is presently being promoted to reduce malnutrition and provide new opportunities for the economic development of the rural poor, in particular women. However, gender issues need to be considered at an early stage and, to set up a baseline for such considerations, it is essential to understand the role of women in all present aspects of the sector. This paper reviews the role of women in the collection, production, processing, marketing and consumption of insects used as food and feed in Africa. Women tend to dominate the value chain although their role varies with insects and regions. Most insects used as human food are still field collected, usually by women, who also lead marketing activities, especially when the market is of low value. Women also prepare and cook the insects. Consumption is usually shared among men, women and children, but gender balance may vary with insects and regions and may be influenced by traditions and taboos. There is less information available on gender roles in the sector of insects as feed, largely because, until recently, only a few insect species were used to feed livestock, and these insects were not traditionally traded. Nowadays, systems for producing, processing and marketing fly larvae as feed are being developed but gender issues have not yet been really taken into consideration. Efforts should be made to ensure that this emergent activity will also provide business opportunities for women entrepreneurs.