The progression of mealworms dining on food waste and agricultural residue, which is being used as feed for animal production and fertilizer. (Photos by Midwest Mealworms, LLC)

The Value of Insect Droppings in Agriculture

ARS researchers in Fayetteville, AR, are helping farmers by studying the value of insect droppings in agriculture. About 30 to 40% of food produced in agriculture is wasted in the U.S., which results in about $161 billion in losses each year. Insect meal from insects fed waste is one solution to address agricultural waste. Farmers raise and breed insects to be an alternative protein source for animal feed. The insect farming industry is projected to grow 28% annually and have an estimated market value of $8 billion by 2030. Learn more...

The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.