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Reid. Microbiome Res Rep 2024;3:10 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/mrr.2023.46 Page 5 of 8

Another opportunity to expand local microenterprises is through edible insects, such as the grasshopper
[32]
Ruspolia differens. A study showed high demand for edible arthropods in the Lake Victoria basin . These
can be blanched, boiled, toasted, and deep-fried, providing a range of protein, fibre, α-linolenic acid,
[33]
flavonoids, iron, and zinc . Importantly, safe storage and propagation are vital to avoid the release and
swarming of these plant-devouring insects. Already, mayflies of the genus Povilla (Polymitarcyidae) are
dried and used in meal preparation around Lake Victoria . One potential problem is that aquatic insects
[34]
can bioaccumulate toxic heavy metals and pathogens from raw sewage present in the lake. A range of
[35]
other arthropods can be found in the lake and used as a food source, but the Fiti fermented food production
units have so far not considered expanding to fish or arthropods. This could change through the expansion
[36]
of the value chain since fermentation of fish has long been a tradition in Africa . If a core facility could be
built in Mwanza to not only produce and distribute more products but also isolate, grow, dry, and package
sachets containing various microbial fermenters, there would be a means to not only improve the health and
well-being of the population, but also better utilize the food sources at hand.

APPLICATIONS TO DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
World Vision recently reported that an estimated 719 million people are living in poverty (less than $2.15
per day), while 1.2 billion people in 111 developing countries live in multidimensional poverty (https://
www.worldvision.org/sponsorship-news-stories/global-poverty-facts). As inequality grows and economic
expansion becomes environmentally unsustainable, questions must be asked about how populations access
food resources and the nutritional value of foods they can afford. Poverty and purchasing cheap, poorly
nutritious food can lead to obesity and malnourishment . Furthermore, a case has been made that the
[37]
[38]
current food production system is adversely affecting planetary and human health .
In Canada, there is a supply management system under the national agricultural policy that controls the
supply of dairy, poultry and eggs. This is designed to offer stability for producers and processors, but a
consequence is that purchasers are at the mercy of prices set by the conglomerate. There are numerous
examples of global food systems that lead to affordable but poor-quality foods being purchased by people in
poverty. The question is, could the microenterprise system based on fermentation established in Tanzania
work in Canada?

The answer is not simple. Access to raw milk is difficult because of the supply management rules.
Production of food for sale requires rigorous Health Canada assessment for safety, albeit churches and local
organizations provide free meals to needy people without government approvals. Setting up a business and
managing its finances is laborious. Nevertheless, in practical terms, small groups of people could produce
products like Fiti under a microenterprise focusing on consumers below the poverty line. In doing so,
unemployed youth and adults could become engaged in the value chain. One such initiative to sell Fiti
yoghurt is being explored in London, Ontario, specifically at a Youth Opportunities Unlimited cafeteria
located in an area of the city frequented by unemployed, homeless, and drug-addicted people.

Another application could be through a microenterprise providing hospitals with fermented food to aid
patient healing. Given the safety record of products like Fiti in HIV patients , probiotics and prebiotics for
[39]
[41]
[40]
trauma and surgery patients , and fermented foods for various health issues , it is surely a concept
worthy of consideration. After all, invariably, illness does not have a single cause and cure [Figure 1].
IN SUMMARY
The rapidly growing realization that beneficial microbes are important for global health and human survival
has offered endless possibilities for their application. This cannot only benefit people in rich countries. An