Cambodia: Cricket and grasshopper breeding takes off in Kampong Thom province

The boom in cricket and grasshopper farming in Kampong Thom province is testimony to Cambodia's innovative approach to sustainable agriculture and rural economic development. This lucrative activity, deeply rooted in local tradition but propelled by a modern entrepreneurial vision, is transforming livelihoods and conquering regional markets with remarkable success.

Inside one of the farm's enclosures, where egg cartons are used as artificial nests for crickets

Cricket farming in Kampong Thom has become a viable source of income for rural households. Entrepreneurs such as Japanese social entrepreneur Seiya Ashikari have championed this cause, launching community-initiated cricket breeding circuits that not only inform visitors about sustainable insect proteins, but also empower local farmers. These crickets, raised in simple rural facilities, sell for around US$3 per kilogram and are prized for their high protein content, an essential nutritional supplement in many Cambodian diets. Ashikari's Ecologgie initiative trains farmers and helps them process crickets into protein powders and snacks, creating diversified sources of income and boosting food security.

Grasshoppers

Alongside cricket farming, the grasshopper trade has flourished, particularly in Kampong Thom and neighboring provinces such as Preah Vihear. Grasshoppers are harvested seasonally, and sellers transport between 500 kilograms and a ton of grasshoppers across the border to Thailand every day, where demand is strong. Thai consumers appreciate grasshoppers for their culinary uses, particularly in traditional dishes such as fried snacks served with papaya salad. This cross-border trade enables Cambodian sellers to make substantial profits, with daily earnings of up to 80,000 riels per seller during the peak season. Despite a shorter grasshopper season, this trade remains an important source of income, often supplemented by the sale of wild plants and vegetables.

Regional appetite

The regional appetite for edible insects is part of a growing global interest in sustainable protein sources. Thailand, a major player in the edible insect export market, illustrates the sector's potential thanks to its efficient agricultural practices and growing domestic consumption. Insect farming has a low environmental footprint: it requires much less water, feed and land than traditional farming, while producing far fewer greenhouse gases. This ecological advantage, combined with insects' ability to thrive in warmer climates, positions the sector for robust growth in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Locally, cricket farming is not only profitable, but also accessible. Families like that of Oung Vannak, in Takeo province, have turned modest investments into thriving businesses. With an initial capital of just $1,000, they have created cricket pens that produce up to 100 kilograms per harvest cycle, sold at $3 per kilogram. The income generated has enabled them to improve their quality of life, by purchasing farming equipment and vehicles. In addition, cricket farming complements traditional agriculture, as cricket waste serves as a natural fertilizer and improves crop yields.

Cricket and grasshopper farming in Kampong Thom is a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation and sustainability. It offers rural Cambodians a lucrative and environmentally-friendly livelihood, while meeting the growing regional demand for alternative protein sources. As the sector develops, it promises to play a central role in Cambodia's rural economic landscape and in the wider movement towards sustainable food systems.