BATTAMBANG — To improve the lives of local farmers, a new and exciting opportunity has arisen: raising crickets on family farms. Recognizing the appeal of crickets – their popularity as a food source with low maintenance requirements and minimal risk of disease – this project offers a promising pathway to economic growth.

Driven by Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF), a French NGO, farmers are receiving invaluable support. This includes essential technical training and financial assistance to equip them for farming successfully.

One of the biggest draws of cricket farming is its efficiency. Crickets mature very quickly, reaching market weight in just one month. This means farmers can start earning income sooner.

Also, they don't require a lot of resources, like expensive feed, and the daily workload is manageable, with only two to three hours of care needed per day, as explained by Min Sophoan, AVSF's country director. This low-maintenance approach makes cricket farming an attractive and accessible livelihood option for local communities.

Cricket farming was a novel concept for farmers in Battambang province. To empower them, AVSF provided a comprehensive package: breeding crickets, dedicated farms, essential equipment, and invaluable technical training. This equipped the farmers with the knowledge and resources to independently cultivate and expand their businesses.

Crickets have modest dietary needs. Young crickets (15 days old) thrive on a diet of processed food, while older crickets enjoy a balanced mix of processed and natural foods, such as water spinach. In terms of market value, fresh crickets command a respectable price of 8,000 riels (approximately $2) per kilogram.

“Cricket farming presents a compelling opportunity,” emphasized Sophoan.

“It demands minimal investment, boasts a rapid harvest cycle, and offers a favorable market price, ensuring profitable returns. Moreover, crickets are a highly nutritious food source, readily adaptable for processing into healthy and wholesome products,” he added.

Sophoan further observed, "The growing popularity of cricket farming is evident among both sellers and consumers.

While cricket farming is primarily a local industry with limited international exports, AVSF envisions a future where value-added products, processed domestically using locally sourced crickets, can access global markets. This expansion holds the key to further enhancing the livelihoods of these farming communities.

“The One Health concept perfectly aligns with cricket farming,” emphasized Sophoan. “With minimal water and food requirements, cricket farming poses no environmental threat. In fact, crickets are highly sensitive to chemical substances, ensuring the safety of the entire ecosystem.”

The One Health approach underscores the intricate interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. It encompasses a wide spectrum of health issues, including infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and security, and environmental health, among others.

Sophoan highlighted the significant economic benefits, noting that several local families have experienced substantial income growth through this venture.

From 2022 to 2024, AVSF implemented a program, guided by the One Health principles, benefiting 96 families across the province. This initiative aimed to popularize and expand cricket farming within the community. However, the current landscape reveals that cricket businesses primarily operate on a small, household-based scale.

Sophoan harbors ambitious goals. He aims to elevate cricket farming to a prominent sector within the province and contribute significantly to the national agricultural landscape.

The key to realizing this vision lies in effectively communicating the profitability and versatility of cricket farming to the public, particularly other farmers. This will encourage them to embrace this promising opportunity.

Originally written in Khmer for Thmey Thmey, this story was translated by Meng Seavmey for Cambodianess.