Table 4.
Some examples of Mini-livestock animal derived (muscle and non-muscle) meat.
| Mini-Livestock Animal | Prospects | Challenges | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodent (Capybara) | -High reproduction rates -High carcass yield -High nutritive value -Low cost production -Improved food security |
-Safety concerns: dirty meat, carrier of disease -Legal issues with some species -Insufficient knowledge about some species |
[67,68,69,73] |
| Rabbit (Leporidae) | -High growth rates -White meat: No adverse health effects -Low cholesterol |
-Non-competitive Prices -Lack of deboned meat - Perceived as a pet |
[76,77,78] |
| Insects (e.g., Mealworm larvae and adult crickets) | -High quality protein/nutritive value -Tasty delicacy in some localities -Low cost and space requirements -Short lifecycles |
-Negative perception: -Filthy, unsavory food source -Safety concerns (Carriers of diseases and unhygienic meat) |
[79,80,81] |