@techreport{fdi:010062139,
  title = {{I}mproving rural livelihoods through participative research on the domestication and breeding of the palm weevil larvae ({R}hynchophorus phoenicis {F}abr.) : the {A}frican palm weevil project : final project report},
  author = {{M}uafor, {F}.{J}. and {L}e {G}all, {P}hilippe and {L}evang, {P}atrice},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}s part of efforts to fight against food insecurity, poverty and biodiversity erosion, this project was elaborated to initiate the breeding and domestication of the palm weevil grubs (edible larvae of the {A}frican palm weevil: {R}hynchophorus phoenicis {F}abricius, 1801). {T}he project was aimed at determining an appropriate technique and feed formula for the domestication of the larvae, as well as training local people on acquired multiplication and breeding techniques. {I}n order to meet this objective, an experimental system was established in the village of {N}toung, {A}bong-{M}bang {D}ivision, {E}ast {C}ameroon. {T}he experimental system was made up of a hut and seven boxes in which the domestication attempts were made. {F}our feed formulas were introduced in the boxes as substrates to which adult palm weevils were added after being coupled. {T}he feed formulas included: i) only fresh stems of raffia; ii) {A} mixture of fresh and decayed raffia tissues; iii) {O}nly decayed raffia tissues; and iv) {A} mixture of decayed raffia tissues and chicken feed. {W}ater was sprinkled on the substrate on a daily basis to maintain the humidity of the milieu. {I}n total, 13 grown individuals of palm weevil grubs were harvested in the domestication attempt, with only two of the feed formulas being efficient for the production of the grubs. {H}owever, young maggots were noticed in all the three food formulas within the first two weeks of the experiment, most of which died within the third week. {I}ntroduced adult weevils remained alive throughout the experimental period in some of the food formulas, while the survival of these weevils in some feed formulas only lasted for two weeks. {L}ocal people were involved at all the stages of the establishment of the experimental dispositive, making the research very participative. {S}uch participatory approach allows for the integration of local knowledge into the planned methodology, while transmitting directly the experimented farming techniques to local communities. {T}hough the results of this experiment indicate that the domestication of these edible larvae is possible, it is important to determine suitable conditions that favor the development of young maggots after the hatching of eggs. {C}onsidering the nutrient content of this insect larva, it is important to develop the gotten breeding, so that these larvae may effectively constitute a cheaper source of essential nutrients in {C}ameroon and in {S}ub-{S}aharan {A}frica at large.},
  keywords = {{INSECTE} {NUISIBLE} ; {LARVE} ; {PALMERAIE} ; {DOMESTICATION} {ANIMALE} ; {FORMULATION} ; {SUBSTRAT} ; {VALEUR} {NUTRITIONNELLE} ; {NUTRIMENT} ; {ALIMENTATION} {HUMAINE} ; {RECOLTE} ; {COMMERCIALISATION} ; {PRIX} ; {COMMUNAUTE} {VILLAGEOISE} ; {ELEVAGE} ; {ETUDE} {EXPERIMENTALE} ; {PALMIER} {RAPHIA} ; {CHARANCON} ; {CAMEROUN} ; {NTOUNG}},
  address = {{B}ogor},
  publisher = {{CIFOR}},
  series = {},
  pages = {22  multigr.},
  year = {2014},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010062139},
}