Insects are taking Gauteng by storm as a new breed of farmer delivers an alternative source of protein for domestic consumption and export.Bugs of all kinds such as beetles, f lies, crickets, grasshoppers, worms and cockroaches are part of a new strategy to increase insect farming in the province.According to Dr Willem Pretorius, president of Agri Gauteng, rabbits have also been identified as a growth area, offering farmers the opportunity to grow their businesses.“Urban farming has the major constraint of space,” he said. “Insects and rabbits are very farmable on small parcels of land. One can start a successful cockroach farm in the space of a garage.”He said in Europe edible insects were fast becoming a much sought-after protein source. “There is a realisation about the critical need for sustainable proteins to feed growing global populations,” said Dr Pretorius. “Gauteng’s urban farmers are very well placed to grow this market sector.”He said various export markets were being looked at, including Europe and Africa.Insects were more than just a delicacy for human consumption. According to the University of Stellenbosch, insect farming is a growing niche market for animal feed as well. It’s considered one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors – and it’s expected that the global market for turning insects into animal feed will be worth over $2.3 billion by 2030, and their use in the food and nutrition sector around $8 billion.Large-scale insect farming allows for a sustainable, consistent and good quality product to be delivered to the market. What makes them ideal produce for Gauteng is that one does not need a lot of space to farm them on a large scale.While the concept of insect agriculture may seem foreign to the average person, the industry is predicted to grow rapidly at an average compound growth rate of around 27.8%.“It’s a concept that we believe will do well in Gauteng. It is a massive opportunity for our small-scale farmers in the province to extend their product range. It can be done very efficiently and cost effectively in the spaces in which they are already farming. One does not only have to consider spinach as a possible agriculture product, mopani and mealworms are just as viable.”He said hydroponics and aquaponics were two other concepts trending in Gauteng. “There is a huge demand for fish – and once again, farmers in Gauteng are well placed to deliver on this demand. We are planning an expo later this year to share more information about the opportunities that exist.”He said whilst Gauteng did not necessarily conjure up images of farming, it was at the centre of agriculture in the country. “The two biggest airports are situated here, at least 60% of agricultural businesses are headquartered here, and it is home to all the commercial banks.”He said Gauteng farmers were not only looking at ways of exporting more products into Africa, but also their skills. “Our immediate focus in this regard is southern Africa. The aim is to grow the export of our services over the next few years.