Protein-energy malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency are major public health problems in Madagascar. Animal-source foods are not affordable to the majority of people, who rely on maize or beans and famine-foods (cactus and tamarind). Hunger is exacerbated by an annual locust invasion that destroys thousands of hectares of cereal crops and contributes to the country’s extreme poverty—particularly rural youth.

The primary means of locust control is large-scale spraying of pesticides from planes; it is logistically complex, costly, and is damaging the fragile environment. Spraying poses a health risk to humans. Pesticides enter the food cycle; people also consume poisoned insects (a common snack food).