Fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with insect-based livestock feed

Why in the News?

In the face of rising global concern about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the environmental costs of traditional livestock feed systems, researchers and policymakers are increasingly considering alternative protein sources. 

• Insect-based feed has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the risks associated with AMR. 
• In India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recently signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private enterprises such as Ultra Nutri India, Loopworm, and Bhairav Renderers to scale up the use of insect-based feed in aquaculture and livestock sectors.

Background

• Livestock farming is central to meeting the protein demands of the global population. However, its intensive nature, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), has led to alarming overuse of antibiotics. 
• Antibiotics have long been used not only to treat animal illnesses but also as growth promoters. This indiscriminate use facilitates the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• More than 50% of the antibiotics produced globally are used in animal agriculture. According to projections, this figure is expected to reach 200,000 tonnes by 2030, an increase of 53% since 2013.
• The fallout from this practice is grave: antibiotic residues enter the environment through animal waste, contaminating soil and water and creating breeding grounds for resistance genes that can be transmitted to humans. 
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that 10 million people could die annually due to AMR by 2050, up from 700,000 in 2014.
• Alongside this challenge is the looming burden of food insecurity. 
• The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that global food production must increase by 70% by 2050 to meet the needs of a growing population. 
• This pressure underscores the need for innovations that can sustain productivity while reducing environmental and health risks.

Features: The Case for Insect-Based Feed

Nutritional Superiority and Digestibility

Insects offer a potent nutritional profile, rich in proteins, essential fats, fibres, and micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and zinc. They are already part of the natural diet for many animals, both aquatic and terrestrial. Importantly, their digestibility and protein conversion ratio make them a viable replacement for traditional feed options like fishmeal and soymeal.

Comparative data suggests:

• 1 kg of fishmeal (typically 60–72% protein) can be replaced by:
  • 0.76 kg of crickets (75% protein)
  • 0.81 kg of silkworms (70%)
  • 0.85 kg of black soldier flies (66%)
  • 0.91 kg of yellow mealworms (60%)
  • 0.95 kg of mopane worms (56%)
• Similarly, 1 kg of soybean meal (49% protein) can be substituted with:
  • 0.74 kg of crickets
  • 0.79 kg of termites
  • 0.83 kg of BSF larvae
  • 0.89 kg of locusts
  • 0.93 kg of mopane worms

This high nutritional efficiency makes insect-based feed a superior and economical alternative.

Climate-Smart and Sustainable

Rearing insects is far more eco-efficient than traditional livestock farming:

• Less greenhouse gas emissions: Insects release fewer GHGs per unit of protein.
• Lower land and water use: Crickets, for example, require 12 times less feed than cattle for equivalent protein output.b
• Upcycling organic waste: Many insect species, such as black soldier flies (BSF), thrive on organic waste, converting it into valuable biomass.

This makes insect farming a circular economy model, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Cost-Effectiveness and Commercial Potential

Insect-based feed offers a better benefit-to-cost ratio compared to conventional animal feed, especially in terms of production costs, processing simplicity, and scalability. Because insect rearing uses waste streams, the input costs are lower.

The growing number of MoUs signed by ICAR with private sector players highlights the emerging commercial ecosystem around insect feed in India:

• March 2023: ICAR-CIBA and Ultra Nutri India Pvt. Ltd. signed a pact to use BSF larvae in aquafeed.
• June 2024: ICAR-CIBA collaborated with Bengaluru-based Loopworm to test insect-based feed for shrimp and seabass.
• January 2025: ICAR-CMFRI tied up with Bhairav Renderers in Coimbatore for large-scale testing.

Regulatory Backing and Global Acceptance

As of 2025, over 40 countries have formalised regulations allowing the use of insect-based feed in animal husbandry. Species widely approved for use include:

• Black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens)
• Houseflies (Musca domestica)
• Compost worms (Perionyx excavatus)
• Mealworms (Alphitobius diaperinus)
• Crickets (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus assimilis)
• Locusts and grasshoppers

Such acceptance is growing in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and now India, with both policy momentum and research support increasing.

Challenges

AMR Policy Gaps in LMICs

In many LMICs, including India, unregulated or poorly regulated use of antibiotics in animal feed continues. Drugs like chloramphenicol, tylosin, and TCN (a mix of oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, and neomycin), which are banned in developed countries, are still used freely. This raises serious health concerns:

• Overexposure to humans through food chains can lead to chronic diseases like kidney failure, cancers, or aplastic anaemia.
• The absence of residue monitoring mechanisms exacerbates this risk.

Infrastructure and Supply Chain Constraints

Although insect-based feed is technically feasible, its large-scale adoption in India faces infrastructural and logistical bottlenecks:

• Lack of decentralised rearing units
• Limited cold storage and processing facilities
• Shortage of trained manpower to manage rearing and feed formulation

Consumer Perception and Awareness

Cultural biases and limited awareness about the benefits of insect-based feed affect adoption:

• Farmers often hesitate to switch to new feed due to uncertainty about results.
• End consumers (humans) may resist products derived from animals reared on insect feed, perceiving them as ‘unhygienic’ or unsafe.

Changing these perceptions requires targeted awareness campaigns, capacity building, and incentivisation.

Research and Regulatory Uncertainty

India is still in the pilot stage of mainstreaming insect feed. Challenges include:

• Fragmented research funding
• Lack of a unified policy framework under agencies like FSSAI or the Ministry of Fisheries
• Need for long-term impact assessments on animal health and productivity

Absence of clear import-export norms for insect meal also limits India’s capacity to become a global hub for insect protein production.

Way Forward

Develop a National Insect Feed Mission

Inspired by the success of the National Dairy Development Programme, India should launch a National Mission on Insect-Based Feed with dedicated funding, an institutional framework, and research mandates. This should:

• Identify species with high conversion rates and low disease risk
• Promote region-specific models based on the availability of waste biomass
• Integrate with existing livestock and fisheries extension networks

Reform AMR Regulations in Animal Husbandry

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry should work with FSSAI to:

• Ban non-essential antibiotic use in animal feed
• Introduce residue surveillance and labelling norms
• Strengthen veterinary oversight through digital prescription tracking

A central National Antimicrobial Use Dashboard could help monitor and reduce usage patterns.

Strengthen ICAR Collaborations and Public-Private Partnerships

ICAR must expand its partnerships with:

• Agri-tech startups and biotech firms for genetic research
• Food processing companies for feed formulation
• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for field trials

Government incentives such as tax holidays, subsidised loans, and credit-linked capital subsidies will attract private investment.

Community-Based and Rural Insect Farming Models

Just as dairy cooperatives revolutionised rural incomes, insect farming cooperatives can provide low-capital, high-return models. These should focus on:

• Women and marginal farmers as stakeholders
• Training modules on insect farming integrated with Krishi Vigyan Kendras
• Linking with MNREGA and rural livelihood missions

Promote Research and Capacity Building

Dedicated funding under DBT, DST, and ICAR can:

• Support R&D on insect immunity, safety, and lifecycle
• Establish pilot insect-rearing hubs in each agro-climatic zone
• Create curricula and certification courses on sustainable livestock feed

India could also propose an International Insect Feed Innovation Centre under the G20 or BRICS platform to lead global South research.

FAQ: Insect-Based Feed and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

1. What is the link between livestock farming and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

In intensive livestock farming, antibiotics are commonly used not only for treating sick animals but also as growth promoters. Overuse leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through food, water, and the environment. Over 50% of global antibiotics are used in animal agriculture, contributing significantly to the AMR crisis.

2. How does insect-based feed help in combating AMR?

Insects are naturally antibiotic-free protein sources. Replacing conventional feed (like fishmeal and soymeal) with insect-based alternatives reduces the need for antibiotic growth promoters. It also helps eliminate antibiotic residues that often enter the environment through animal waste, thereby interrupting the AMR transmission cycle.

3. Which insect species are commonly used in livestock feed?

• Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae
• Houseflies
• Mealworms
• Crickets
• Locusts
• Compost worms

These species are rich in protein and can be safely reared on organic waste, making them both nutritious and eco-friendly.

4. What are the nutritional advantages of insect-based feed?

• High protein content (60–75%)
• Better digestibility for animals
• Rich micronutrient profiles (iron, calcium, zinc)

They offer superior protein conversion ratios compared to traditional sources. For example, 1 kg of fishmeal can be replaced by 0.76 kg of crickets (75% protein), showing cost and nutrient efficiency.

5. What are the environmental benefits of insect farming?

• Insects emit fewer greenhouse gases than livestock.
• They require less land and water.
• They can be reared on organic waste, promoting waste recycling.

This aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Conclusion

The intersection of antimicrobial resistance, environmental sustainability, and food security has placed insect-based livestock feed at the centre of global innovation. India, with its robust scientific infrastructure and a growing agritech ecosystem, is well-positioned to lead this change. However, to scale this climate-smart, AMR-resistant solution, India must address regulatory, infrastructural, and behavioural barriers with urgency.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Question: How can insect-based livestock feed help in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promoting sustainable agriculture in India?

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION