Research Report

House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers:

Preliminary identification of the quality, safety and

critical points of hazard of the produces

Submitted to

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

By

Jintana Yhoung-aree, Ph.D.

Visith Chavasit, Ph.D.

Somchoke Khunsanong, M.A.

Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University at Salaya

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

July 2014

i

Executive Summary

The research entitled “House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers:

Preliminary identification of the quality and safety and critical points of hazard of the

produces” was conducted in 3 regions (east, northeast and north) covering 10 provinces of

Thailand (East: Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, and Sa Kaeo; Northeast: Nakhon Ratchasima,

Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen; North: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Phrae.). The

study was scoped based on the principle of a guide on Good Animal Husbandry Practice

(GAHP). This covered basic characteristics of the farmers including motivation to enter this

job, farming resources, farming management, harvesting and produce handling, record

performance and distribution of the produce.

The study employed qualitative and quantitative approach in which in-depth interview was

performed in 20 cricket farmers in the east. As a result, key issues from in-depth study were

used to formulate the survey questionnaire. This tool was employed to collect the data in 70

cricket farmers and 10 cricket collectors in the northeast and the north. Using SPSS for

Window as a tool for data analysis, descriptive statistics resulted in the description of the

results comprising 9 topics.

1. Basic characteristics of the cricket farmers. A majority was native people. Female

farmers had higher rate than male (61%:39%). Their average age was 51 years (Range: 29-76

years). Higher rate existed among ages over 50 years (56%). Most farmers married and lived

with spouse (80%). For education achievement, 43% finished elementary school whereas

high school achievement and higher were accounted for 39% and 18% respectively. Only one

case reported to be Christian, the rest were Buddhists. Family size ranged 1 to 7 members

with 67% composed of 3 to 5 members. Prior to rearing cricket, they did various jobs for

their living. Rice farming was the major trend (38%), followed by selling labor (21%),

employee in a private company (14%), fruit farm (14%), trading (13%), employee in

government sectors (13%), upland cropping (7%), food selling (4%), and handicrafts (8%)

and unemployed (9%). Once they began to operate the cricket farms, 27% of them left their

old jobs and turned to hold cricket farming as the single source of income.

Attractive factors persuading them to enter the cricket farms included a need of additional

income (86 %), need money to resolving debt (6%), cheap investment (13%), simple, and

short time consuming to earn cash (23%), family reunion activity (10%), giving cash and

make use of free time (62%). Length of farming establishment was 4 months to more than 30

years with median value of 24, 24, 39 months in the east, the northeast and the north

respectively.

2. Farming inputs. All surveyed farmers began the cricket farm from their own saving. The

least investment cost THB 500 whereas the highest amount was more than a hundred

thousand Baht. All farms employed family labor. Only 7 farms hired labor for additional

hands during harvesting. Investment was put to build the cricket houses (64%). The rest made

rearing spaces either underneath or attaching the farmer’s house. Areas of cricket houses

ranged widely from 3 to 2,400 m2 with median value 74.5 m

2. 58% of farms fell into the size

of 100 m2 or less.

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Wells for rearing crickets were found in 2 shapes; cylinder (or tube) and rectangular. The

materials used to build the wells included cement, gypsum sheets and plastic drawer. The

rectangular cement well was common in the northeastern farms whereas the farmers in the

north preferred cylindrical cement shape. Gypsum sheeted wells existed more in the eastern

farms. Total wells hold by each farm ranged from 1 to 83 wells. 54% of the farms had 1-10

wells. The farms with 11-20 wells and more than 20 wells existed as 20% and 26%

respectively. Sum of total well volume ranged from 1 to 198 cubic metre (m3). Based on the

average capacity of well, the farms in northeast demonstrated larger capacity than the rest

(median capacity; east = 24.2 m3, northeast = 49.3m

3 and north = 6.4 m

3).

Rearing wells were prepared by using paper egg trays to make cricket’s den. Basically, the

trays were arranged the alternative opposite pattern and made up one foot height. Edges of

feeding vessel must be thoroughly lined with smooth and glossy surface-adhesive tape of at

least 5 centimeters from the upper edge in order to prevent the cricket from climbing out

during rearing period. In each well, rows of trays should provide common space for placing

bowls of ova. Importantly, the whole setup of living zone should allow the crickets to hide

and safe themselves during the period of casting off skin. This stage was susceptible to be

attacked by other crickets. After harvesting, 53% used reagent or sanitizer to clean wells,

solution was prepared with uncertain concentration. After cleaning the wells, it left for 7 to

10 days to let it dry.

The farmers selected feeds on basis of price although they realized the protein content would

cause healthy crickets. This included feeds of chicken, broiler, fish, pig, bran and vegetables.

Feed specific label of cricket formula was not popular because it was expensive, but

contained similar level of protein content. Water being fed to the crickets came from

community pipe, artesian wells, rain and community pond.

Three strains of crickets were reared in studied areas. Tse include Acheta domesticus (Thai

common name ‘Sading or Jingreed Khao’), Gryllus bimaculatus (Thai common name

‘Thongdum or Jingreedtoong’) and Gryllus testaceus (Thai common name ‘Thongdaeng or

JingreedBaan’). Rearing single strain was found in 58%. The rest reared combination of two

strains (42%).

3. Farming practices. All farmers had strong positive attitude towards the cricket rearing. A

great majority of the farmers learned the operation of cricket farming from friends and

relatives (84%). Their communication allowed them to establish a cricket network on

facebook. Some of them took a study tour to the farms in various provinces. Once they

started the farm, they used their own sense to trial especially issues related to feeds (67%).

Active farmers (21%) may quest knowledge of the cricket rearing from internet and facebook

of the cricket group. Some of them learned from those published in the newspaper and

television program.

To begin with, almost all farmers acquired cricket ova from farms of friends and relatives

either in their community or from other provinces. Only one farmer received the ova from

provincial agricultural office. Generally, an ova bowl with diameter 15 centimeter (cm) cost

50 to 150 Baht. Normally, the ova took around 7 to 10 days to hatch under optimal

temperature 37 to 40 degree Celsius. Ratio of ova per space in individual wells was

estimated. The finding denoted that an average first ratio of ova was 9.4 bowls per cubic

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metre of well capacity. Twenty out of 90 farms conducted the second ratio of ova with an

average 11.7 bowls/m3. Four farms trialed the third ratio with an average of 17.1 bowls/m3.

Feeding practice: The crickets are known to be herbivore. In nature, they feed on plants. Yet,

cricket farmers applied animal feed for their cricket rearing. During nursery period (ages

below 14 days) feed given should be fine in texture. In addition young crickets must be fed

by high protein feed. The feed containing high protein not only promoted growth but also

changed non-developed sex organ to be female at this stage. In the second period of life (15

to 30 days), the crickets were fed the same feed but protein level would be reduced. So they

used the mixture of feeds. At this stage, increasing rate of feeding plants was observed. In the

third period (30 days onward), the farmers would be aware of mating behaviors. It occurred

around 35 to 40 day for Sading and around 30 days for Thongdum & Thongdaeng strains.

Few days after mating, it was the time to collect eggs, and harvesting accordingly. At 2 to 5

days before harvesting, the farmers emphasized feeding pumpkin because it gave positive

results to the crickets including controlling undesirable smell in gut caused by animal feeds,

giving good weight, not cause green oil when was cooked.

Water feeding: The crickets could not survive in water. In young ages, the farmers sprayed

water over surface areas in the wells every two hours. The cricket babies got fine mist

directly or it could sip water from wet areas. Some farmers used wet ash, sponge, coconut

husk, weed, dry grass and cloth. In older ages, crickets sipped water from wet rock, sand and

charcoal being put in water plates. These medium allowed them to stand while sipping water.

Nutrient supplementation: Generally speaking, nutrient supplementation was an issue that the

farmers learned from peers and made their own trial. 43% of farmers supplemented nutrients

to the crickets starting at ages 7 to 14 days. Items of supplementation included vitamin and

mineral powder, chitosan, EM, morass, and milk powder. They believed that these

supplementations would help stimulate its appetite, promoting health and digestion.

Breeding: All farmers had collected ova since the first batch of rearing for the following

harvests. The finding discovered 3 means of breeding undertaken throughout the period of

cricket rearing. 64% of the farmers performed inbreeding, meaning that they used ova

collected from their own farms to produce new generations. 27% of them did cross breeding

using ova collected from different wells within their own farms. It was not common that the

farmers used ova from other sources to mix with ova collected from their farm (9%).

Explanation of inbreeding disclosed that more than half of the respondents did not know the

effect of inbreeding. Four farmers addressed that there was no effect of inbreeding as long as

the cricket was still alive. Those who explained its effects (41%), they commonly mentioned

that inbreeding caused crickets becoming smaller in body size in the later batch, poor health

and weakness and prone to mortality.

Recording habits: 68 % of the repsondents never recorded any data. They felt that rearing

process was simple and not complicate. So they could remember all steps. Among 29 cases

(out of 90 farmers) who noted some data, their specific attention was paid on hatching date

(23 cases) and amount of feeds used (2 cases). Only four farmers kept regular note of cricket

ages, feeds, yields and on-farm price.

4. Harvesting & Yield. In general, harvest periods were 45 days for Sading and 35-40 days

for Thongdum/ Thongdaeng. Few days before harvest, ova were collected. At this step,

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prepared bowls were placed in the wells for 6-24 hours. Some farmers wanted thick ova; they

kept the bowls in wells as long as 2-5 days. Each harvest, the farmers may collect the ova 3-5

rounds. Harvest of the crickets required big plastic bowls, plastic bags, bucket containing

water and weighing scale. The harvest began by keeping away the paper egg trays that were

used as its den out of the wells. But, few were left for cricket holders. Crickets gathering on

these trays would be transferred into big plastic bowls.

Yield density: Yield density was estimated as weight of crickets per cubicmetre of well

volume. The result denoted that an average of the cricket harvested was 10 kg/m3. Yield per

harvest referred to total amount (kg) of each harvest. The survey explored amount of the

recent batch. The finding denoted that wide range of the produce existed as 3 kg to 800 kg

per harvest with median value of 90 kg for Sading (n=55). Harvested Thongdum/Thongdaeng

ranged 5 to 504 kg with median of 100 kg (n=57).

5. Distributing of produce & Return. This focused the distribution of the produce of the

survey farmers. They marketed the produce commonly to nearby collecting centers such

Rong Kluah wholesale market, wet markets, mobile collectors, and mobile vendors. Each of

these collectors would further distribute to other chains of distribution. Overall, chains of

collectors could distribute the produce to reach consumers widely to big cities, tourist spots,

etc.

Return: The farmers got return from operating the cricket farm in forms of cash and in-kind.

On-farm price was higher in the north than others (Median farm price; east = 100 Baht,

northeast = 90 and north = 140 Baht/kg). Overall, it ranged from 60 Baht/kg to 400 with

median value of 100 Baht/kg for Sading. The highest price of 400 Baht/kg was observed in

the north where some farmers sold fried crickets in wet market. For Thongdum/Thongdaeng,

the farmers earned from 90 to 350 Baht/kg with median value 120 Baht/kg. Like Sading, the

price given to the farmers in the north was higher than others (Median farm price; east =

northeast =110 and north = 200 Baht/kg). For income, 53 respondents of Sading farming

received average earning from selling Sading was 9,500 baht/month. Selling

Thongdum/Thongdaeng gave average return as 14,700 Baht/month (n=58 farms). Some

farmers earned from selling cricket eggs and waste fertilizer. In terms of in-kind benefits

existed in forms of appreciation to this economic activity. Roughly, estimated profit was

approximately 47% to 70%. Cash earned from the cricket farm was used for extending a farm

size (90%), supporting adequacy for daily expense (90%), solving debt (13%). Importantly,

it secured them to have enough money to support child’s education (21%) and saving (33%).

Although it happened to few cases, saving income allowed them to buy a car (3%) and repair

their house (4%).

6. Constraints & Needs. Constraints faced by the cricket farmers could be varied with

degree of the problem. Wave of heat or cold climate had strong effect to growth and survival

of the crickets. Last year, cold wave caused death of young crickets in most farms in the

northeast. In cold climate, the crickets tend to grow slowly. Unknown infectious disease

incurred to cricket aged 30-35 days was complained. Poor health often seen by broken legs

was given low price from the buyers. Feed was expensive in some areas. Poor in quality of

feed indicated by poor growth to the crickets was also mentioned. Farmers who lived in

isolated, they would found a difficult to market the produce. The mobile collectors often gave

them low on-farm price. Important problem that limited the progressive farming performance

was the lack of technical knowledge and appropriate farming management. Annoyance of

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pests such as house lizard, cockroach, birds, spiders, etc. existed in most farms. Their

prioritized needs proposed by the farmers include concrete policy to promote the cricket

farms, market place and price and technical knowledge.

7. Cricket collectors/distributors. Roles of cricket collector (or may be called cricket

distributor) as part of the studied chain. There were 10 collectors participating in this survey.

Out of these, nine were farmers who were already included as the respondents of cricket

farming. Another one was a large scale cricket collector. Their information could be

highlighted as below. Among ten collectors, one lived in the east, 5 presented in the northeast

and 4 existed in the north. Five members started the business of cricket collection about 2

years or shorter. Another half of them operated this task for longer than 2 years; one out of

these performed for 10 years. Two of them not only collected crickets but also other types of

insects if that existed. Within year round, dry season was good time of good return. On

average, median value of cash receiving was 22,750 Baht per trip (n=7). In the northeast,

their income ranged 12,000 to 45,000 Baht per trip (n=3) whereas 3,920 to 28,000 was the

range found in the northern collectors (n=4). Although one large collector was unwilling to

disclose his return, yet the produce was estimated as 1.5 tons per day in dry season and

decreased to 700 – 800 kg per day in winter. His selling price ranged 160 to 200 Baht per kg

depending on his market.

8. Risks to safe produces synthesized from research findings. The findings demonstrated

undesirable practices in a number of steps of farming. Inbreeding practice commonly existed

in the cricket farming context. Hygiene and sanitation of housing and facility seemed to be

ignored. Type of sanitizer and its dilution were uncertain and inconsistent. The quality of feed

and water were skeptical, especially feed stocking as long as 2 months. Nutrient

supplementation in either feed or water was another aspect that the farmers made a trial. A

trail manner indicated unconfident skill of the farmer. This led to uncertain productivity and

return. Ignoring of recording the data was common. This may keep them struggle to solve the

problems of diseases as ever complained. Steps of management behaviors implied their

limitation of financial investment. Their harvest resulted to yield with pressure of feeds and

cares given to the crickets. In distribution chain, it was unclear about distant where the

produce would be marketed. Especially cooling technique by ice was skeptical in its effective

throughout the route of transportation. Importantly lack of technical knowledge was believed

to be rooted of undesirable farming practice and skills.

The overall findings have informed potential hazards existing in the context of the house

cricket farming. This can be highlighted into 4 aspects. First, physical hazard may be

observed if unstable structure of cricket housing and roofing existed because it can cause

physical harm to the crickets. Also, improper management in water feeding vessel could

cause drowning of young crickets. Second, chemical hazard if the farmers use

disinfectants/sanitizer for cleaning rearing wells at improper concentration because it may

leave residue that could be harmful to cricket. In addition, feeding water adding

supplementation at high levels could cause hazard to crickets. Third, biological hazards may

exist thoroughly if the farmers ignore hygiene and sanitation in process of farming. Finally,

the hazards may be found if inbreeding for more than 3 generations may cause weak crickets

leading to susceptible infection and poor growth. In addition, recording of farming

information that is one of the key components for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) was

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observed to be poor. This was believed to limit their farming monitoring and evaluation

leading to unknown causes of diseases and unable to find the direction of farming

improvement.

9. Analysis of production and trade

The survey was performed in small sample size. Thus the data might not be able to represent

the cricket farming population nationwide.

A major trend of the cricket production was small scale (< 200 kg/harvest) for both Sading

and Thongdum/Thongdaeng. The expansion of farming scales to medium and large ones

depended on skills of farmers, their abilities to overcome constraints and save part of their

incomes obtained from their business return.

In terms of distribution chain, there was uncertain. Mainly, an immediate chain of the

distribution (or collector) was handled by the cricket farmers who had foreseen their

opportunity to earn more from the crickets. Therefore, having pick-up would facilitate them

to become the cricket collectors and distributors. Their information further informed that

some produces went through the second, the third and other chains of the distributors. This

not allowed the researchers to follow up due to short time availability and unknown addresses

of following collectors. However, the research team observed that the cricket business served

domestics consumers of all income levels (i.e. factory workers, employees of various types of

agencies and tourists both Thai and foreigners) and neighboring countries. The product status

is not a staple food for regular consumption; it is however an exotic food that is consumed for

leisure as snack. The product itself has a high profit margin and low risk due to the high

market needs. In our opinion, the growth of economics in Thailand’s neighboring countries

should directly affect the growth and sustainability of cricket farming business in Thailand.

From researchers’ point of view, cost benefit in terms of nutrition should be evaluated in case

that cricket will be used as a main protein source in poor countries where other plant and

animal sources are rare. Investments e.g. feeding pond and utensils, area used for feeding,

feeds, water, labor, time consumed should be evaluated versus the yield of protein produced.

The research findings arrived at the knowledge gaps for further research in order to figure out

potential critical point of hazard of the produce. These gaps of knowledge include; (1) What

are effects of inbreeding to health and nutritional value of the crickets; (2) Effect of feeds of

different formula used by the cricket farmers. In addition, formulation of the cricket feeds

using locally available ingredient; (3) Behavioral model of cricket farming with hygienic and

sanitary concern; (4) Development of practical guide for cricket farming using appropriate

technology that can be accessed by small farmers.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to express our gratitude to Sashi Sareen and Meno Atsuhiro at FAO/RAP for

their encouragement to fund this research. Sincerely thanks are given to field research

assistants including Dr Sitima Jittinanda, Ms Chitraporn Ngampeerapong, Ms Juntima Photi

and Mr Piyanut Sridonpai. Importantly, we are very grateful to all cricket farmers who shared

information and contributed to the successful field data collection.

Research Team

July 2014

viii

CONTENT

Page

Executive summary i

Acknowledgement

Introduction 1

Objectives

Methodology

1. Sample size 1

2. Scope of study 2

3. Data collection procedure 2

4. Data analysis 3

Results & Discussion

1. Characteristics of cricket farmers 3

2. Farming inputs

2.1 Finance 4

2.2 Labor for cricket farm 5

2.3 Cricket house 5

2.4 Wells & preparation 6

2.5 Feeds & water 7

2.6 Species of crickets 7

3. Farming practices

3.1 Attitude and knowledge 8

3.2 Nursery of crickets (Hatching of ova) 8

3.3 Feeding 9

3.4 Water feeding 10

3.5 Nutrient supplementation 10

3.6 Breeding 11

3.7 Recording habits 12

4. Harvesting & Yield

4.1 Ova collection 12

4.2 Cricket harvest 12

4.3 Yield of crickets 13

5. Distribution & Returns

5.1 Distribution of crickets 14

5.2 Returns 14

6. Constraints & Needs

6.1 Constraints 15

6.2 Needs 16

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Page

7. Roles of cricket collectors/distributors 16

8. Risks to safe produce synthesized from research findings

8.1 Inbreeding practice 17

8.2 Hygiene and sanitation of housing and facility 17

8.3 Feed and water 17

8.4 Recording habits 17

8.5 Finance 18

8.6 Distribution quality 18

8.7 Technical knowledge 18

8.8 Analysis of potential hazards/risks of house cricking farming 18

performance

9. Analysis of production and trade 18

Conclusion & Recommendation 24

Bibliography 25

Table 1 Nutrient supplementation in crickets 11

Table 2 Scale of production 14

Table 3 Analysis of potential hazards/risks of house cricking farming 20

performance

Figure 1: Mapping of studied issues 22

Figure 2: Chain of cricket rearing and distribution 23

Annex 1a: Interview guide

Annex 1b: Observation checklist

Annex 2: Questionnaire for survey

1

Introduction

Cricket is the insect that normally found in nature and has been used as food in many ethnic

groups in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos for centuries (Durst, et al, 2010). The

cricket is quite sensitive to their living environment, which makes it a good indicator for

unhealthy condition including hazard substance contamination, erratic climate, and poor

sanitation. In relation to this condition, healthy crickets should be considered as safe food.

The cricket has a short lifecycle as compared to other kinds of animals. Thus the cricket

farming is therefore commercially feasible to be promoted.

The research entitled “House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers:

Preliminary identification of the quality and safety and critical points of hazard of the

produces” is a farmer based study. This is to seek for the answer briefly of how the crickets

are produced, its quality and safety throughout the chain of production and distribution.

FAO/RAP provided research grant to the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University (INMU)

to carry on this study during February to July 2014. The general objective of this study is to

elucidate the house cricket value chain from production to consumption including trade of the

produces in order to identify possible hazards and the potential critical points for entry of

hazards. The specific objectives include:

1) To determine characteristics of cricket farmers in east, northeast and north of Thailand.

2) To determine the scale of production, farming technology and managerial skills to produce

the house crickets. This includes farming inputs, technical knowledge and hygienic

handling throughout the process of the production.

3) To identify the distribution routes, stakeholders and their quality of the produce handling

from farms to reach consumer markets and export, if any

4) To identify critical hazard points potentially incurring throughout the chain of house

crickets for production and distribution of house cricket in the northeast and north of

Thailand production to distribution based on the guide of Good Animal Husbandry

Practices: GAHP (FAO, 2009)

Methodology

This descriptive research was carried on using qualitative and quantitative approach. The

research procedure is described as follows.

1. Sample size

The research focused on two groups of respondents; house cricket farmers and cricket

collectors whom sometime were called distributors. Initially, farmers were sought out from

online information using ‘cricket rearing, cricket farm’ as key words to sort out. Totally,

there were almost 200 names were enlisted. Those having contact phone were communicated

by the researcher. Inclusion criteria used to select the respondents referred to 3-harvest

experiences and willing to participate in the research. The former was concerned in order to

ensure that their intention and skill to conduct the farms. The latter helped data collection

procedure to be smooth. Overall, approximately 120 cricket farmers were listed to be

potential respondents. At the survey time, the researchers were able to meet 90 respondents.

They lived in three regions covering 10 provinces. In the east, 20 farms located in

Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, and Sa Kaeo. In the northeast, 38 farmers lived in Nakhon

2

Ratchasima, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen, whereas in the north, the study was conducted

in 32 farms situated in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Phrae. Due to budget and time

limitation, the farms in the east were assigned for formative research whereas those in the

north and northeast were respondents of the survey in the second stage.

Second group of respondent referred to cricket collectors. This group of informant would be

selected in reference of the responding farmers. The study was able to collect the data from

10 cricket collectors. Out of this 9 collectors played also role as cricket farmers that already

included in first group of respondents.

2. Scope of study

The scope of study was drafted based on the principle of a guide on Good Animal Husbandry

Practice: GAHP (FAO, 2009) as shown in Figure 1. In this Figure issues applied from the

GAHP were displayed. This covered basic characteristics of the farmers including motivation

to enter this job, farming resources, farming management, harvesting and produce handling,

record performance and distribution of the produce.

3. Data collection procedures

Due to the lack of data regarding the cricket farming and distribution, the research divided

into two stages; formative research and followed by a survey. The formative research would

help conceptualize key issues about the cricket farming and distribution. Then the survey

would figure out wider perspective about these issues. These procedures are described as

below.

Stage 1: Formative research

The formative research was performed among 20 cricket farmers in three provinces of the

east. Before field visits began, the meeting of the research team was held in order to

standardize the team members about the research objectives, procedure and the tools, i.e.,

interview guide and observation checklist (Annex 1a, Annex 1b). The interview guide was

developed to cover issues in Figure 1. These tools were used to collect the data via in-depth

interview whereas observation checklist (Annex 1b) was made informal talk to the

respondents. The data collected from in-depth interview and observation was analyzed

manually on their content.

There were 3 main outcomes out of the 1st stage. First, key variables involving cricket

farming (including resource, technology, farming management) and the produce distribution

were obtained. Second, the conceptual framework was formulated according to the variables

obtained. Consequently, the questionnaire for survey in the second stage was generated (see

Annex 2). This tool has compiled elements or variables that were applicable to the context of

cricket farming. Lastly, experience learned from the first stage enabled the research team to

adjust the plan for field survey in the 2nd

stage.

Stage 2: Survey

At this stage, the study involved both the farmers and the distributors. It was carried out using

both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection. The scope of the survey

3

included the characteristics of the cricket farmers, their farming inputs, managerial skills,

procedures of harvesting and distributing of the produces. It was also to investigate farming

constraint and benefits. Critical point risk to hazard would be sorted out.

The questionnaire; an outcome of the first stage was used as a tool to collect the data. This

questionnaire was designed to cover not only issues needed asking but also categories

concerning with hygiene and sanitation that were obtained by observation. This tool was

showed by Annex 2.

4. Data analysis

All forms of the questionnaire were edited and coded. In addition, common data (variables)

collected in farms of the east (stage 1) were included resulted in 90 cases in this analysis.

Using SPSS for Window, Version 19 for data process, results were interpreted based on

descriptive statistics in forms of frequency, percent and average values.

Results & Discussion

The results contains 8 topics; basic characteristics of the cricket farmers, farming inputs,

farming practices, harvesting and yield, distributing the produce and return, constraints and

needs, roles of cricket collectors/distributors and risks synthesized from the findings. These

are described as follows.

1. Basic characteristics of the cricket farmers

The survey was conducted in 90 cricket farms; this numbers distributed into the east, the

northeast and the north as 20, 38 and 32 farms. A majority was native people, only 8 of them

moved in the villages from other provinces. Most of surveyed cricket farmers were female

(61%) especially in the northeast (63%) and the north (66%). Their average age was 51 years

(Range: 29-76 years). Ages were categorized into 40 years or younger, 41-50 years and older

than 50 years. Higher rate existed among ages over 50 years (56%). Most farmers married

and lived with spouse (80%). Single and widow/widower status were presented as 6% and

14% respectively. For education achievement, 43% finished elementary school whereas high

school achievement and higher were accounted for 39% and 18% respectively. Regarding

religion, only one case reported to be Christian, the rest were Buddhists.

Brief family background showed that they lived in family sizing 1-7 members. The family

size was classified into 1 to 2 members, 3 to 5 members and more than 6 members. The rates

found in these respective groups were 21%, 67% and 12%. Prior to rearing cricket, they did

various jobs for their living. Rice farming was the major trend (38%), especially the farmers

in northeast (50%) and the north (37%), followed by selling labor (21%), employee in a

private company (14%), fruit farm (14%), trading (13%), and employee in government

sectors (13%). It was uncommon that the cricket farmers reared chickens and having few

cattle. Rarely, they earned income from upland cropping (7%), food selling (4%), and

handicrafts (8%). Unemployed and housewives were found in the northeast (16%) and the

north (6%) before they reared the crickets.

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Once they began to operate the cricket farms, 27% of them left their old jobs and turned to

hold cricket farming as the single source of income. The rest still kept the old jobs along with

the cricket rearing.

What was attractive to conduct cricket farming? The respondents shared their motivation of

various aspects. Mainly, it related to family economic. About 86 % of them needed additional

income because their families have a number of expenses such as child education, social

activities and so on. Few families faced to the problems of debt. Income from the cricket

farms was expected to solve this problem (6%). Learning from peers, they thought that

cricket farming required cheap investment (13%). Few of them viewed this as high market

demanded business. Only one case informed that they participated in income generation

program launched by the government sector. Then the cricket farming was chosen.

The reason fitting to their capacity was that the cricket farm did not require complicated

technology. It was simple, and short time consuming to earn cash (23%). Not many responses

showed their motivation in relation to improving the quality of life. As such 10% of them

denoted that the cricket farm was a job that helped family reunited. Therefore, this task

returned their children back to the hometown and enabled him or her to care their parents.

Remarkably, their old jobs gave the people time free. So rearing cricket was not only

provided them cash but also allowed them to make use of their free time (62%).

Regarding the length of farming operation, 4 months to more than 30 years were reported

among these surveyed farmers. The farms in the north were found to be longer established

(median length=39 months) as compared to the east and northeast (Median length of east =

northeast= 24 months). The oldest farm (more than 30 years establishment) was owned by the

agriculture instructor of vocational college in the north. This person became an advisor to a

number of cricket farms established in later time.

It can be concluded that rearing a cricket seems to be appropriate task for the people of older

ages. The technique of farming was simple and did not need high education background.

Learning from peers, small investment activity would give a return quickly in cash. This

satisfaction had persuaded people to enter the cricket farming.

2. Farming inputs

This part describes inputs of the cricket farming. These include finance, labor, house and

sanitation, wells and preparation, feed and water, and species of crickets reared. Issues of

hygiene and sanitation would be added if applicable. Information from both quantitative and

qualitative techniques is highlighted as follows.

2.1 Finance

Qualitative research resulted in brief information that all surveyed farmers began the cricket

farm from their own saving. The least investment costed THB 500 whereas the highest

amount was more than a hundred thousand Baht. Although they started the farm with small

investment, cash return from cricket farming allowed them to expand their business without

loan. Only few farmers who received good return were able to get loan from the bank for

further investment.

5

2.2 Labor for cricket farm

All farms employed family labor. Only 7 farms hired labor for additional hands during

harvesting. More than half operated the farm by one labor, especially in the northern area.

The farms carried on by 2 to 3 labor were found as 40%. Five out of 8 farms that was

participated by 3 or more family member was observed in the northeastern provinces.

2.3 Cricket house

Most farmers built cricket houses separately (64%). The rest made rearing spaces either

underneath or attaching the farmer’s house. The latter was shared wall with the farmer’s

house. Areas of cricket houses ranged widely from 3 to 2,400 m2 with median value 74.5 m

2.

The analysis categorized housing areas into 3 levels; 100 m2 or less, 101-200 m

2 and larger

than 200 m2. It was found that 58% of farms fell into the size of 100 m

2 or less. The size of

101-200 m2 and larger than 200 m

2 existed as 22% and 18% respectively. The largest size (>

200 m2) existed in the northeastern region more than others (east = 0, northeast = 37%, north

= 6%). Height of the cricket house assisted ventilation. The result denoted that the cricket

houses with height of 2.5 meter or less presented as 58%. The rest had higher than 2.5 meter.

Roof of the cricket’s house was found in 88% of total farms. The rest was protected by floor

of the farmer’s house as it was underneath their houses. One case in the northeast made a trial

to place three wells in opened air, but under the big tree. She thought that perhaps insects

wanted fresh air. Then she would record its growth as compare to the other wells being

placed under the shed. The farmers selected material for roof based on permanent property

rather than controlling environmental temperature. They used corrugated iron for a roof

(81%). Few cases used plastic sheet, leafs, and grass.

Houses with walls presented as 61%. Most of these were made by nylon net. This sounded

good for air ventilation. Three farms were considered to have inappropriate wall structure.

Two of them made rooms closed without window as they believed that the crickets liked dark

especially mating time. Another had corrugate sheeted wall. This may keep the room too

warm especially in sunny days.

Floor of a house was found to be cemented (63%) and ground (47%). The cemented floor

was common in the northeastern and northern farms (east = 12%, northeast = 63%, north =

66%). The farmers seldom wipe the floor to get rid trash or garbage (61%). Few farms wiped

and wash the floor. Yet, 27% of them never wiped or clean the floor. Only 9 out of 90 farms

cleaned the floor by cleaning agents. They used either chlorine, detol or safon (4 farms). Five

farmers cleaned the floor by Effective Microorganism (EM) solution. Knowledge of using

cleaning agent was acquired from peers and self-trial.

General observation was attended on the cleanliness and sanitation of the cricket houses.

Overall, 91% of farmers indicated well management of the cricket house for air ventilation.

Yet, its hygiene was not acceptable in which 73% of the houses being covered by cobwebby

dust. The dirt was also observed in specific spots of the house; floor (50%), feed keeping

corner (61%), and almost all well covers. Few farmers ignored sanitation of houses in which

they built ditches surrounded. These ditches had never been cleaned. Water in the ditches was

used to prevent ants and dirty by animal waste.

6

2.4 Wells & Preparation

Wells for rearing crickets were found in 2 shapes; cylinder (or tube) and rectangular. The

materials used to build the wells included cement, gypsum sheets and plastic drawer

(commonly known as feature board). Over half of wells presented in rectangular cement

shape (58%), followed by rectangular gypsum sheets (30%), cylindrical cement (23%) and

rectangular plastic drawer (13%). The rectangular cement well was common in the

northeastern farms whereas the farmers in the north preferred cylindrical cement shape.

Gypsum sheeted wells existed more in the eastern farms. In this survey, eight farmers who

owned plastic drawer wells were observed to be poor in terms of financial concern for their

investment. They lived in the northeast and the north.

The number and volume of wells informed proxy of production capacity. The study found

that total wells hold by each farm ranged from 1 to 83 wells. The analysis grouped them into

three categories; 1-10, 11-20, and more than 20 wells per farm. The finding showed that 54%

of the farms had 1-10 wells. This farm size presented in eastern farms higher rate than others

(east = 60%, northeast = 47% and north = 59%). The farms with 11-20 wells and more than

20 wells existed as 20% and 26% respectively. In each farm, sum of total volume of all wells

demonstrated its capacity to keep the crickets. This ranged from 1 to 198 cubic metre (m3).

Based on the average capacity of well, the farms in northeast demonstrated larger capacity

than the rest (median capacity; east = 24.2 m3, northeast = 49.3m

3 and north = 6.4 m

3).

When total well volume was arbitrary classified into small (<25.0 m3), medium (25.1-50.0

m3) and large (> 50.0 m

3), the result showed that small capacity (<25.0 m

3) existed as high as

81% in the northern farms, followed by the eastern farms (55%) and the northeast (18%).

Medium and large capacity located in the northeast more than others (medium capacity: east

= 0, northeast = 32%, north = 9%; large capacity: east = 45%, northeast = 50% and north =

9%). Based on the well volume, the northeastern farms demonstrated higher capacity as

compared to the others. Perhaps, this was due to the northeastern farming area being

established earlier with technical support of academic institutes (Hanboonsong, et al., 2013).

Preparation of rearing wells: In the wells, the farmers comforted crickets by arranging living

space based on individual knowledge. There was no standard to set up a living space for the

crickets. Most farmers imitated patterns of well arrangement from peers. Commonly, they

used paper egg trays to make cricket’s den. Arrangement of trays varied depending on their

favorite style. Basically, the trays were arranged the alternative opposite pattern and made up

one foot height. Edges of feeding vessel must be thoroughly lined with smooth and glossy

surface-adhesive tape of at least 5 centimeters from the upper edge in order to prevent the

cricket from climbing out during rearing period. In case plastic net was needed, it should

cover closed tightly to prevent the cricket predators from attacking. In each well, rows of

trays should provide common space for placing bowls of ova. Few farmers based the wells by

straw or dried grass as they observed this from cricket’s habitats in the nature. Importantly,

the whole setup of living zone should allow the crickets to hide and safe themselves during

the period of casting off skin. This stage was said to be susceptible to be attacked by other

crickets.

Hygiene of wells: Well cleanliness is important to prevent germ. The finding indicated that

over half respondents cleaned the well using reagent or disinfectant (53%). This awareness

existed more in the northeastern and eastern farmers (east = 60%, northeast = 74%, north =

25%). Some farmers especially in the northern area cleaned wells by wiping out trash and

7

waste, then washed by water (east = 35%, northeast = 18%, north = 56%). Simply, another

11% was not aware of well hygiene. They just wiped out waste (east = 5%, northeast = 8%,

north = 19%). Disinfectant or reagents used to clean the wells varied. Among 48 users, 19 of

them used chlorine, detol, or safon. Some farmers may use lime powder, EM, alcohol, and

dish/cloth detergent as it was cheap and easily to access. Overall, concern of hygienic well

seemed to present in the northeastern and the eastern areas. But the rate of usage required

improvement.

After cleaning the wells, it needed some days to let it dry. This was to ensure the wells being

safe the next harvests. The farmers called this state ‘well resting’. Oftentimes, well resting

took 7 to 10 days concurrent to hatching period. The analysis disclosed that well resting for

longer than 7 days existed in 68%. This was commonly performed in all regions (east = 65%,

northeast = 74%, north = 63%). In contrast, the period less than 7 days was presented as 18%

(east = 15%, northeast = 26%, north = 9%). In worst cases, 14% of them never gave wells

rested (east = 20%, north = 28%). In other word, the new harvest continued once they

finished cleaning wells of the latest harvest.

2.5 Feeds& Water

Feed: All farmers bought feeds from sellers whom they were entrusted in quality. Some

sellers could give advice about cricket rearing. Since feeds were sold in cash, not much of it

could be stocked due to their financial limitation. The farmers used various formulas of feeds.

They selected feeds on basis of price although they realized the protein content would cause

healthy crickets. Feeds used among respondents included feeds of chicken, broiler, fish, pig,

bran and vegetables. Feed specific label of cricket formula was not popular because it was

expensive, but contained similar level of protein content to the selected brand. Stocking of

feed varied among the respondents. A majority bought feeds enough for each harvest that was

to cover 45-60 days. Some farmers may buy twice per harvest. Few cases bought kilograms

of feed in every other day due to small scale farming and economic constraint. Stock keeping

was observed. Most cases placed feed sacs on floor (east = 65%, northeast = 76% and north =

59%). One third of them kept the sacs on a platform. The farmers who bought small amount

just kept it in bins. It was observed that the farms stocking many sacs of feeds generally had

unclean feed corners. It was covered by cobwebby dust. However, 39% of them were

considered to be acceptably clean. This condition was seen more in the eastern and the

northern farms (east = 45%, northeast = 29% and north = 47%).

Water: Water being fed to the crickets came from community pipe as a major source (east =

70%, northeast = 79% and north = 56%). The northern farmers also accessed to artesian wells

and used it for their farms. This was said to help reduce their expense. Farmers especially in

the northeast often collected rain water. They used it to feed the crickets. One case lived

beside a community pond. The water collected from this pond was used not only for

household washing but also for cricket feeding too.

2.6 Species of crickets

Cricket is classified in Class Insecta, Order Orthoptera and Family Gryllidae. In the studied

sites, three strains had been reared for commercial purpose. These include Acheta domesticus

(Thai common name ‘Sading or Jingreed Khao’), Gryllus bimaculatus (Thai common name

‘Thongdum or Jingreedtoong’) and Gryllus testaceus (Thai common name ‘Thongdaeng or

JingreedBaan’). Rearing single strain was found in 58% (east = 75%, northeast = 47% and

north = 59%). The rest reared combination of two strains (42%). A majority reared Sading

8

(63%) especially in easterm farms (east = 85%, northeast = 50% and north = 66%). Half of

them invested Thongdum. This strain was more popular in the northeastern farms (east =

35%, northeast = 63% and north = 53%). Apparently, Thongdaeng differed from Thongdum

in terms of its wing color, yet size and taste were said to be similar. In the survey,

Thongdaeng was less common as compared to others (east = 5%, northeast = 47% and north

= 25%).

3. Farming practices

This part demonstrates farming behaviors. This covers issues of knowledge, attitude, and

rearing performance. These information reflect their managerial skill of the cricket farming

3.1 Attitude and knowledge

All farmers had strong positive attitude towards the cricket rearing. Almost all farmers

equipped the knowledge of rearing crickets from informal sources especially from peers and

relatives. Out of 90 cases, 14 of them exposed to formal training activity (east=1, northeast =

9 cases, north = 4 cases). They were trained by academic institutes (4 cases), local

development agencies (6 cases) and feed company (4 cases). Qualitative data revealed that

the information given by a sale representative of feed company focused on the quality of

feeds rather than farming techniques. Although 9 out of 13 trainees have applied the

knowledge gained from training course into their farm operation, they could not solve the

problem of mass death of the crickets. Overall, the knowledge disclosed by the respondents

was superficial.

A great majority of the farmers learned the operation of cricket farming from friends and

relatives (84%). Their communication allowed them to establish a cricket network on

facebook. Some of them took a study tour to the farms in various provinces. Once they

started the farm, they used their own sense to trial especially issues related to feeds (67%).

Their experiences have been applied to manage the farms from batch to batch (86%). Active

farmers (21%) were found to quest for knowledge of the cricket rearing from internet and

facebook of the cricket group. Some of them learned from those published in the newspaper

and television program.

3.2 Nursery of crickets (Incubation of ova)

To begin with, almost all farmers acquired cricket ova from farms of friends and relatives

either in their community or from other provinces. Only one farmer received the ova from

provincial agricultural office. Generally, the ova were sold in a bowl of diameter 15

centimeter (cm). The bowls of ova were transferred to the buyers using fine soft soil as

medium to hold ova. Distant sending of the ova bowls was made by emergency postal service

or public transportation. Its price ranged from 50 to 150 THB per bowl excluding delivery

fee. It was observed that the density of ova per bowl varied. Thus the farmers could not

estimate the produce from batches bought from various sellers.

Normally, the ova took around 7 to 10 days to hatch. Oftentimes, the climate was said to have

strong effect on the hatching period. An optimal temperature for hatching was around 37 to

40 degree Celsius. Frequently, it may take a months to incubate ova during winter. In this

process, at least three forms of hatching techniques were observed among the respondents.

First, during summer, the temperature around the farms was already warm. The farmers

prepared the wells as mentioned above. Then the bowls of ova were placed in these wells

9

Ratio of ova per space in individual wells was estimated. It was observed that since the

farmer could not assess the density of ova per bowl, they tended to make a trial. Since the

goal at harvesting was to get more weight of the produce, many farmers was not aware of

living space for insects. They rather put higher number of ova bowls were placed in a well.

The finding denoted that an average first ratio of ova was 9.4 bowls per cubic metre of well

capacity. The ratio found in the northern farms was higher than others (east = 6.8 bowls/m3,

northeast = 9.0/m3, north = 11.1 bowls/m

3). Twenty out of 90 farms conducted the second

ratio of ova with an average 11.7 bowls/m3. The same trend was found in this second manner

(east = 8.4 bowls/m3, northeast = 10.4/m

3, north = 20.0 bowls/m

3). More number of bowls

were trialed in the third ratio, i.e., an average of 17.1 bowls/m3 (northeast = 13.9 bowls/m3,

north = 25 bowls/m3). Only 4 farms undertook this portion (northeast = 3 farms, north = 1

farm).

Second form of hatching arrangement was to set up an empty well as an incubator. Bowls of

ova were placed in the well and warm them by covering plastic sheets. During incubation

period, the farmers prepared other wells for rearing as aforementioned form. Once it hatched,

the babies were care in this well till it aged 7-14 days. Then they were transferred into the

prepared wells. In this instant, the farmers had to look after it closely.

Last form of ova caring was observed in 3 farmers who were well-organized. The concrete

cylindrical wells were set as ova incubator specifically. Well temperature was controlled by

light bulb in winter. In dry season, plastic sheet covering on the well would be enough to

warm ova. In this form, hundreds ova bowls were incubated at once. After hatching, babies

aged about 7 to 14 days would be transferred to rearing wells.

3.3 Feeding

The crickets are known to be herbivore. In nature, they feed on plants. Yet, cricket farmers

applied animal feed for their cricket rearing. In rearing well, the farmers defined feeding

practices into 3 stages. First, nursery period referred to ages ranged from birth to 14 days.

This period was very important because it was susceptible to be attacked by pest and erratic

climate. The farmers paid close attention to crickets of these ages. Essentially, the goal at

harvesting was to obtained produce containing major portion of female crickets with good

weight. Female crickets of full eggs made up a favorable taste to consumers. Two farmers

who participated in formative research shared the process to achieve this goal. Young crickets

must be fed by high protein feed. They explained that feed containing high protein not only

promoted growth but also changed non-developed sex organ to be female at this stage. Feed

for offspring catfish formula that contained as high as 24% protein was selected. This

knowledge was tested among other farmers. Most of them did not know about this concept.

Few farmers ever heard this information but did not focus on it.

In practice, the farmers selected type of feed based on price and sometimes followed their

peer’s practice. Commonly, chicken feed containing 21% protein was used to feed cricket

offspring (east = 40%, northeast = 71%, north = 69%). The northeastern farmers used feed

specific formula for crickets more than others (east = 15%, northeast = 24%, north = 6%).

Not many cases fed the young crickets by broiler formula. Some of them mixed feeds using

chicken formula with others. Only one case in the north used the soy residual to feed the

crickets. This was proved to have similar effect on the cricket’s growth said by the user.

Apart from formula, feed given to young crickets should be fine and soft in texture. Therefore

10

they added water or nutrient rich solution to soften it. In case of using nutrient rich solution,

this would help promote its appetite and growth. In addition to feed, the crickets were given

vegetable and plants. Like human, any edible vegetables grown wildly or for human dishes

could be fed to crickets. Juicy plant such as banana stems could help crickets receive water.

This was found in 36% of farms feeding edible plants to the crickets at this young age.

Second period of life referred to ages 15 to 30 days. , the farmer would be able to predict the

produce weight. Feeds given to these ages would reduce in protein concentration. Feed for

chicken was still commonly used for this period of age (east = 80%, northeast = 79%, north =

72%). Many farmers intended to reduce protein level by mixing chicken feed with others

such as feeds for broiler, fish, pig, and bran. Increasing rate of feeding plants was observed in

this period. Likewise, feed formula uses in the second period of age continued to the third

period that covered ages older than 30 days.

In the third period, importantly, the farmers would be aware of mating behaviors. It occurred

around 35 to 40 day for Sading and around 30 days for Thongdum & Thongdaeng strains.

Few days after mating, it was the time to collect eggs, and harvesting accordingly. The

majority of farmers were aware of feeds given at 2-5 days before harvesting. At this period,

the farmers emphasized feeding pumpkin because it gave positive results to the crickets.

Pumpkins helped get rid of undesirable smell in gut caused by animal feeds. If this smell

existed, it affected on consumer’s favorite. In addition, the pumpkin gave good weight for

individuals leading to increasing massive weight of the produce. Another effect was reflected

by cooked cricket retailers. Leafy vegetables or plants left over in gut would result in green

oil when it was fried. Yet, this effect was absent if it fed on pumpkin.

3.4 Water feeding

It was important to note that crickets could not survive in water. Water was fed to crickets at

young ages differed from the mature ones. During ages younger than 14 days, the farmers

sprayed water over surface areas in the wells every two hours. The babies got fine mist

directly or it could sip water from wet areas. Some farmers used wet ash, sponge, coconut

husk, weed, dry grass and cloth. In older ages, crickets sipped water from wet rock, sand and

charcoal being put in water plates. These medium allowed them to stand while sipping water.

Few farmers used chicken’s water feeder but they facilitated its sipping by medium as well.

3.5 Nutrient supplementation

Generally speaking, nutrient supplementation was an issue that the farmers learned from

peers and made their own trial. Those ever had livestock, they trialed to apply vitamins

experienced from such livestock to the crickets. Sale representative sometimes advised the

farmers about nutrient supplementation. In particular northeastern farms, specific formula of

nutrients powder was offered by a sale representative. Those who used this powder, their

produce would be given higher on-farm price as compared to market price. Internet was

another channel that few cases gained the knowledge about supplementation. Although being

heard about this information, some farmers may not apply it into practice because of financial

limitation. The results showed that more than half of the respondents did not supplement

nutrient neither feed nor water (57%). This group existed in high rate in the eastern and

northern farms (east = 70%, northeast = 26%, north = 84%).

Among the supplementing using group, peer network was strong to support this practice.

Among 39 farms of supplementing practice, farmers in northeast concerned supplementation

11

more than their counterparts (east = 6 cases, northeast = 28 cases and north = 5 cases). They

may add nutrients in both feed and water (19 cases), in feed (3 cases) or in water (17 cases).

Forms of nutrients used to add feed and water could be vitamin and mineral powder,

chitosan, EM, morass, and milk powder.

Nutrients supplementing to the crickets started around ages 7 to 14 days onward. This gave

benefits to the crickets in terms of stimulating appetite, promoting health and digestion. The

crickets with good health were depicted by strong legs. Active and jumping high were other

signs informing healthy crickets. These effects would bring a consequence of good weight of

the produce. Broken leg depicting poor health was given low on-farm price. One farmer in

the northeast supported that nutrient supplementation increased yield as high as 20 kg per

harvest as compared to those absent from supplementation. Items of supplementing including

EM, morass, chitosan were said to support digestion and help reduce the bad smell in gut.

This smell may be unfavorable to consumers. Few farmers used medicinal herb called

‘Yadok khoaw (Vernonla cinerea L.)’. This herb comforted digestion in human. They

believed that this herb had the same effect to the crickets. Consequently, it helped the crickets

reach to optimal growth. The eastern and northeastern farmers believed that items used to

supplement in feed and water helped reduce its mortality.

Table 1 Nutrient supplementation in crickets

Number (%) Total

East Northeast North

Number of farm 20 38 32 90

Not supplement

Supplement

14 (70)

6 (30)

10 (26)

28 (74)

27 (84)

5 (16)

51 (57)

39 (43)

Supplemented farms

6

28

5

39

Feed supplementation

Water supplementation

Feed & Water

supplementation

-

3

3

2

11

15

1

3

1

3

17

19

3.6 Breeding

All farmers had collected ova since the first batch of rearing for the following harvests. The

finding discovered 3 means of breeding undertaken throughout the period of cricket rearing.

First, 64% of the farmers performed inbreeding, meaning that they used ova collected from

their own farms to produce new generations, especially in northeastern farms (east = 60%,

northeast = 76% and north = 53%). Second, 27% of them did cross breeding using ova

collected from different wells within their own farms. Lastly, it was not common that the

farmers used ova from other sources to mix with ova collected from their farm (9%). In this

manner, 4 cases used ova of nature collected crickets. Although crossbreeding was

undertaken, it was still unknown of ova quality from the origin.

Attention was paid to the farmer’s knowledge about inbreeding. The finding showed that

more than half of the respondents did not know the effect of inbreeding (east = 60%,

northeast = 37% and north = 72%). Four farmers addressed that there was no effect of

inbreeding as long as the cricket was still alive. Those who replied its effects (41%), they

commonly mentioned that inbreeding caused crickets becoming smaller in body size in the

12

later batch. Poor health and weakness were other important effect. High mortality was

observed if inbreeding being conducted (said by 5 farmers). The finding indicated that

knowledge and practices was not corresponded one another. For instant, knowing inbreeding

effect was more prevalence in the northeastern farms. Yet, inbreeding practice in this area

was higher than the others. Main reason to this practice was to reduce cost of investment.

3.7 Recording habits

It can be said that the cricket farmers did not have habit of recording. Many of them never

recorded any data (68%). They felt that rearing process was simple and not complicate. So

they could remember all steps. Routine tasks included feeding and pest caring. Only their

observation became alert when the insects looked inactive and seemed to be infected.

Among 29 cases (out of 90 farmers) who noted some data, their specific attention was paid

on hatching date (23 cases) and amount of feeds used (2 cases). Only four farmers kept

regular note of cricket ages, feeds, yields and on-farm price. These farmers were observed to

act as advisors for cricket farmers (east = 2 cases, northeast = 1 case, north = 1 case).

4. Harvesting & Yield

In this study, harvesting referred to two activities including ova collection and cricket

harvest. In general, mating periods were 35 to 40 days for Sading and 30-35 days for

Thongdum/Thongdaeng. Few days later, ova were collected and the crickets were harvested

accordingly. These ages were about 45 days for Sading, and 35-40 days for Thongdum or

Thongdaeng. In winter, it may take longer than these ages.

4.1 Ova collection

The farmers prepared bowls containing soft matters such as mixture of soil with others such

as ash, rice husk, inner part of coconut husk, etc. In principle, this medium would be soft and

moistened by water. Arriving at ages of about 40-42 days for Sading and 30-37 days for

Thongdum/Thongdaeng, the ova were collected. At this step, prepared bowls were placed in

the wells for 6-24 hours. Some farmers wanted thick ova; they kept the bowls in wells as long

as 2-5 days. Each harvest, the farmers may collect the ova 3-5 rounds. Meaning that, after 6-

24 hours, the first set of bowls was withdrawn from wells. Then they placed another set of

bowls for second, third round and so on. Then it entered the next cycle of rearing that the

collected ova bowls would be incubated in order to produce cricket offspring. For those who

sold the eggs, they should send it out immediately to their clients, perhaps via express postal

service or public transportation

Whether or not the farmers recognized a good quality of cricket ova, 42% of them did not

know how good ova looked (east = 70%, northeast = 29%, north = 41%). Among knowing

responses, healthy cricket ova were characterized as yellowish, shiny and big size. Some

response referred to ova being collected from healthy parents. Many of them used these

criteria to explore the farms for buying the ova via hearsay.

4.2 Harvest of the crickets

The process of harvesting was simple. Materials needed at this step included big plastic

bowls, plastic bags, bucket containing water and weighing scale. The harvest began by

keeping away the paper egg trays that were used as its den out of the wells. But, few were left

for cricket holders. Crickets gathering on these trays would be transferred into big plastic

13

bowls. At this stage, it involved packing and preservation. There were means to prepare the

crickets for selling. This depended on its markets. On-farm collectors were more likely to

collect alive crickets because it made good price if they sold directly to consumers. In this

instant, alive crickets were weighed and put on the nylon cages. Each cage contained 30 to 50

kg. In case the farmers delivered the produce to collecting points in either shop, wet markets

or a house of collector, the produce would be preserved in ice. For this mean, alive crickets

were packed in plastic bag for 5 kg each. Or it was soaked in water, then being packed in the

plastic bag for 5.1 kg each. During transporting to collecting points, these bags would be

preserved by iced or putting in ice box. The study found only two farms that had freezer to

keep frozen produce. Other six farmers sold the produce directly to consumers. They

gradually took amount of the crickets needed to sell day by day. Then it was washed and

cooked it either by frying or steaming. This was sold in fresh market.

4.3 Yields of crickets

At the mature stage, crickets in certain well were observed. A number of farms had unequal

sizes of the cricket in a well. This topic was shared and discussed. From farmer’s perspective,

this unequal size of the cricket was normal. This evident occurred due to eggs collected from

different rounds were mixed in the well. Some of them doubted that it may be caused by

inbreeding effect. Yet, they hesitated to confirm.

Yield density: Yield of crickets was influenced by various factors. First, density of ova per

bowl and the number of ova bowls put in a well. The study estimated weight of crickets

harvested per cubicmetre of well volume. The result denoted that an average of the cricket

harvested was 10 kg/m3. An average value indicated that the northern farms obtained the

produce heavier than the others [mean (sd) values; east =8.4 (3.8) kg/m3; northeast = 9.6 (4.5)

kg/m3; and north = 11.6 (4.4) kg/m

3]. The analysis used + 0.5 sd as cut-off points to classify

the yield/m3. This resulted in 3 categories including < 6.5 kg/m

3, 6.6-10.3 kg/m

3 and > 10.3

kg/m3. The finding showed that 46% of the respondents produced high density of the

crickets, especially the northeastern and northern farms (east = 28%, northeast = 49%, north

= 56%). The farms falling into the density of 6.6-10.5 kg/m3 existed as 29%. This existed in

the eastern relatively higher than others (east = 39%, northeast = 17%, north = 37%). Lower

density of crickets presented in the eastern, northeastern and northern farms as 33%, 34% and

7% respectively. Overall, this was observed that the density of produce was more likely to

correspond to a number of the ova bowls to begin with. However, ova of inbreeding were

skeptical to have effect on the density of the produce.

Yield per harvest: This referred to total amount (kg) of each harvest. The survey found

various forms of harvest behavior. First, among the farmers who owned many wells, not all

wells were used at once. They managed the well investment based on available labor.

Importantly, rearing schedule may be managed in series of times allowing the harvest to be

held once a week. This kept them committed to the farm work and earns money continuously.

Second, small farms were observed to use all wells causing them harvest the produce at once.

So these farmers had time free between batches of rearing. This practice was found in the

eastern and northeastern farms. Third, small farmers in the north were observed to gradually

harvest day by day, because they sold the produce directly to consumers. Except, some of

them that were contracted farming tended to collect the produce at different time periods.

The survey explored amount of the recent batch. Regardless number of the well invested,

wide range of the produce was found as 3 kg to 800 kg per harvest with median value of 90

14

kg for Sading (n=55). Harvested Thongdum/Thongdaeng ranged 5 to 504 kg with median of

100 kg (n=57). Since the survey covered small sample size, the analysis arbitrated the scale

of production based on the farmers’ view into small (<200 kg/harvest), medium (200-300

kg/harvest) and large (> 300 kg/harvest). The result showed that 44 out of 55 farms that

reared Sading were small scale farming. This was the major trend among the respondents.

Medium and large scale farms existed in the east and the northeast. Similar trend was found

in Thongdum/Thongdaeng. Yet, medium and large scale Thongdum/Thongdaeng presented

in the northern farms more than Sading in favorite of the consumer market.

Table 2 Scale of production

Scale of production Number (farms) Total

(farms) East Northeast North

1. Sading; n (farms)

Small scale (< 200 kg/harvest)

Medium (200-300 kg/harvest)

Large (> 300 kg/harvest)

17

9

4

4

17

14

2

1

21

21

-

-

55

44

6

5

2. Thongdum/Thongdaeng; n

Smalll scale (< 200 kg/harvest)

Medium (200-300 kg/harvest)

Large (> 300 kg/harvest)

10

7

1

2

29

17

8

4

18

13

4

1

57

37

13

7

5. Distributing of produce & Return

5.1 Distribution of the cricket

This part focused the distribution of the produce of the survey farmers. They performed

various means. Farmers in the east delivered the produce to insect collectors in Rong Kluah

wholesale market because their farms located nearby this market. The farmers in the

northeast were convenient to sell their produce to mobile vendors, collector in wet market

and insect collecting shops. In community where few cricket farmers existed, the produce

tended to be sold to mobile collectors and also consumers at home. Apart from mobile

collectors, a number of the northern farmers preferred to sell their produce directly to

consumers in wet markets. In this area, few of them made contract to supply the crickets to a

zoo. This mean of distribution was observed in the northeast but they supplied for animal

farms such as lizard and fish farm.

A chain of collectors was assessed. There were steps to reach the consumers of different

provinces such as Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chaing Mai, and other tourist spots. The

produce may pass through other hands of middlemen, other insect collectors and vendors

(See Figure 2).

5.2 Returns

The farmers got return from operating the cricket farm in forms of cash and in-kind. On-farm

price of the crickets varied. It was higher in the north than others (Median farm price; east =

100 Baht, northeast = 90 and north = 140 Baht/kg). Overall, it ranged from 60 Baht/kg to 400

with median value of 100 Baht/kg for Sading. The highest price of 400 Baht/kg was observed

in the north where some farmers sold fried crickets in wet market. For

Thongdum/Thongdaeng, the farmers earned from 90 to 350 Baht/kg with median value 120

15

Baht/kg. Like Sading, the price given to the farmers in the north was higher than others

(Median farm price; east = northeast =110 and north = 200 Baht/kg).

Information about income obtained from the cricket was difficult because it varied according

to farming management. Not all wells were invested at once. Some farmers rotated the

rearing wells in order to allow the harvesting being conducted every week. Within a month,

the farmers may be able to carry on 2 to 3 harvests. Therefore, data collection was decided to

ignore the frequency of harvesting. Rather, the estimation gave them total harvest per month.

Response for total income earned from the cricket farm looked hesitating to disclose among

some farmers. Among 53 respondents of Sading farming, their average earning from selling

Sading was 9,500 baht/month. Farmers in the east earned more than others (Median income

from Sading; east = 12,960 Baht/month, northeast = 8,500 Baht/month and north = 5,600

Baht/month). Thongdum/Thongdaeng gave higher income as compared to Sading. On

average, the farmers earned 14,700 Baht/month (n=58 farms). Median values of the

northeastern farms indicated higher than others (Median income from Thongdum/

Thongdaeng; east = 12,800 Baht/month, northeast = 22,000 Baht/month and north = 13,500

Baht/month). In addition, some farmers earned from selling cricket eggs and waste fertilizer.

Some farms received as high as 30,000 Baht/month from selling the cricket eggs and 19,800

Baht/month from waste fertilizer.

In terms of in-kind benefits, qualitative data depicted that all cricket farmers appreciated this

economic activity because it gave them profit. None was said to have negative balance of

their investment. Roughly, estimated profit was approximately 47% to 70%. In addition the

survey disclosed that cash earned from the cricket farm was used for extending a farm size

(90%), supporting adequacy for daily expense (90%), solving debt (13%). Importantly, it

secured them to have enough money to support child’s education (21%) and saving (33%).

Although it happened to few cases, saving income allowed them to buy a car (3%) and repair

their house (4%).

6. Constraints & Needs

6.1 Constraint

Constraints faced by the cricket farmers could be grouped in to 7 categories. First, wave of

heat or cold climate had strong effect to growth and survival of the crickets. Warm weather

with certain moistness was preferable for the cricket health. Last year, cold wave caused

death of young crickets in most farms in the northeast. In cold climate, the crickets tend to

grow slowly. This led to long rearing period. Eggs ever took 7-10 days to hatch may take a

month. In addition, age at harvesting of 35-45 days would extend to 2-3 months.

Second, many farms encountered with unknown infectious disease incurred to cricket aged

30-35 days. They described its sign as swollen with water in gut. The disease spread fast and

causing death in hours. Especially in rainy season, the crickets were risk to this problem.

Third, the crickets had poor health. This was often seen by broken legs. Broken leg crickets

were given low price from the buyers. Fourth, feed was complained to be expensive. Poor in

quality of feed indicated by poor growth to the crickets was also mentioned. Fifth, farmers

who lived in isolated, they would found a difficult to market the produce. The mobile

collectors often gave them low on-farm price. Sixth, important problem that limited the

progressive farming performance was the lack of technical knowledge and appropriate

16

farming management. This was confessed by farmers isolated from peers. Lastly, annoyance

of pests such as house lizard, cockroach, birds, etc. existed in most farms.

6.2 Needs

Needs for the cricket farms were prioritized as concrete policy to promote the cricket farms,

market place and price and technical knowledge.

7. Roles of cricket collectors/distributors

The survey realized roles of cricket collector (or may be called cricket distributor) as part of

the studied chain. There were 10 collectors participating in this survey. Out of these, nine

were farmers who were already included as the respondents of cricket farming. Another one

was a large scale cricket collector. Their information could be highlighted as below.

Among ten collectors, one lived in the east, 5 presented in the northeast and 4 existed in the

north. Five members started the business of cricket collection about 2 years or shorter.

Another half of them operated this task for longer than 2 years; one out of these performed

for 10 years. Two of them not only collected crickets but also other types of insects if that

existed.

Two means of collection included on-farm collection (5 cases) and station collection (4

cases). One case did both means. A majority preferred to collect alive cricket using nylon net

container. In case the farms located far, the produce would be packed in plastic bag. Specific

request of packaging was each bag containing 5 kg crickets. This was convenient to store and

further distribute in the next chain. Always, transportation of the cricket to either chain of

collection or distribution was preserved by ice. A cleanliness of containers and vehicle were

observed. It was found that most cases used clean containers. Yet, unclean vehicles was

observed in 4 cases (n=10).

The produce was normally distributed to other chain of buyers within a day of collection. The

farmers explained their chains. Four collectors had frozen storage facility. They were

observed to market the produce to buyers of other provinces. Apart from middlemen of the

further chain, the produce was marketed to animal farms (fish farms = 2 cases, chicken farm

= 1 case) and zoo (1 case) As observed in Figure 1, middlemen, collecting shops, restaurants

and mobile insect vendors were common chain network to reach consumers.

Within year round, dry season was good time when they earn good income from this

business. Two cases informed that they received good price in winter when it was high

market demand but low supply of the produce. Only one case mentioned about good earning

in rain season. Regarding amount of cash earned from cricket collecting business, few cases

felt uncomfortable to disclose especially large scale business. On average, median value of

cash receiving was 22,750 Baht per trip (n=7). In the northeast, their income ranged 12,000 to

45,000 Baht per trip (n=3) whereas 3,920 to 28,000 was the range found in the northern

collectors (n=4). Although one large collector was unwilling to disclose his return, yet the

produce was estimated as 1.5 tons per day in dry season and decreased to 700 – 800 kg per

day in winter. His selling price ranged 160 to 200 Baht per kg depending on his market.

17

8. Risks to safe produces synthesized from research findings.

This research applied a combination of qualitative and quantitative approach. As a result, the

findings demonstrated undesirable practices in a number of steps of farming. However, from

farmer’s perspective, these undesirable practices somewhat could not recognized. Goals of

cricket farmers involve survival and massive weight of the produce. This implies that the

crickets should be reared in safe manner. For the cricket distributors (collectors), only few are

aware of cricket’s health. On the other hands, consumer’s desire would be safe and taste of

the produce. Scholar’s perspective such as food and nutrition scientists considers nutritive

value and safety of the produce. Among the discrepancy of their goals, yet safety becomes a

common word to aforementioned perspectives. However, other produce expectations

revealed by different disciplines should be brought in common understanding. In case of the

cricket the term safety should be redefined. In this research resulted in a number of aspects

required attention to involved personnel in the production side. These are highlighted as

below.

8.1 Inbreeding practice

It can be concluded that inbreeding practice commonly existed in the cricket farming context.

Although some farmer ever heard about its negative effect on health, they felt this was still

unclear as long as their crickets still survived. At this moment, the farmers possibly overcame

with inbreeding effect on yield. This referred to poor health, broken legs and weakness. In the

following generations, this would cause the crickets susceptible to infection. This may not be

sure whether disease carrier crickets would be harmful to environment or consumer.

Therefore, inbreeding effect should be insight among the farmers in terms of long term effect

rather than leaving them with short term effect, often invisible.

8.2 Hygiene and sanitation of housing and facility

Although the cricket’s house was managed for good ventilation in most cases, many spots in

such houses looked unhygienic in terms of full cobwebby dust, trash and waste. Unawareness

of dirt may be risk to unwanted contaminant at harvesting stage. In addition, it became a good

home of pests such as spider, cockroach and so on. Using disinfectant was another topic to be

considered. Type of sanitizer and its dilution were uncertain and inconsistent. To high

concentration of the sanitizer could be possibly absorbed onto the vessel walls. This practice

would be risk to chemical residual contamination in farm environment and equipment.

8.3 Feed and water

The quality of feed and water were skeptical. In this survey, the farmers decided to select

feeds based on knowledge gained from peers and their trial. They considered the quality of

feed based on weight gaining of the crickets. Expiring feed among those who stock the feed

as long as 2 months may exist. Nutrient supplementation in either feed or water was another

aspect that the farmers made a trial. A trail manner indicated unconfident skill of the farmer.

This led to uncertain productivity and return.

8.4 Recording habit

Recording habit, if exists, it would help farmers to investigate the causes of the problem

especially disease out breaking. Thus they would be able to control the problem properly.

Unfortunately, the survey demonstrated that many farmers did not have this habit. Perhaps

this kept them struggle to solve the problems of diseases as ever complained.

18

8.5 Finance

The farmers were less likely to mention about their limitation of loan. Perhaps, they were

ensured to earn cash from this business even small amount. However, farming behaviors

implied their limitation of financial investment. Their harvest resulted to yield with pressure

of feeds and cares given to the crickets.

8.6. Distribution quality

This referred to the produce in packing. General speaking, packing at original farms looked

acceptable. Yet, it was unclear of distant where the produce would be marketed. Especially

cooling technique by ice was skeptical in its effective throughout the route of transportation.

8.7 Technical knowledge

The technical knowledge is important as far as scholar perspective is concerned. Although

only few cases confessed that they lack knowledge of cricket farming, undesirable farming

practice and skills were observed to be rooted by the lack of knowledge. Overall, this topic

must be urgent considerable if the cricket farming would be promoted

8.8 Analysis of potential hazards/risks of house cricking farming performance

The overall result of cricket farming performance has concluded the potential hazards or

perhaps some performance that may be risk to poor produces in various aspects. These can be

highlighted in Table 3.

9. Analysis of production and trade

Since the survey was performed by sampling with purposive total sample size. This was due

to limitations of time and fund. Thus the data was declined to represent the cricket farming

population nationwide.

The finding indicates that a major trend of the cricket production was small scale (< 200

kg/harvest) for both Sading and Thongdum/Thongdaeng. Diligent and patient farmers who

were able to overcome constraints could gradually expand their farms into medium and large

scales (medium: 200-300 kg/harvest; large: > 300 kg/harvest) accordingly. However, the

expansion of the farms relied on their skills and savings obtained from the cricket’s return.

The upgrading of production scale therefore requires technical guidance.

In terms of distribution chain, there was uncertain. Mainly, an immediate chain of the

distribution (or collector) was handled by the cricket farmers who had foreseen their

opportunity to earn more from the crickets. Therefore, having pick-up would facilitate them

to become the cricket collectors and distributors. Their information further informed that

some produces went through the second, the third and other chains of the distributors. This

not allowed the researchers to follow up due to short time availability and unknown addresses

of following collectors. However, the research team observed that the cricket business served

domestics consumers of all income levels (i.e. factory workers, employees of various types of

agencies and tourists both Thai and foreigners) and neighboring countries. The product status

is not a staple food for regular consumption; it is however an exotic food that is consumed for

leisure as snack. The product itself has a high profit margin and low risk due to the high

19

market needs. In our opinion, the growth of economics in Thailand’s neighboring countries

should directly affect the growth and sustainability of cricket farming business in Thailand.

From researcher’s point of view, cost benefit in terms of nutrition should be evaluated in case

that cricket will be used as a main protein source in poor countries where other plant and

animal sources are rare. Investments e.g. feeding pond and utensils, area used for feeding,

feeds, water, labor, time consumed should be evaluated versus the yield of protein produced.

20

Table 3 Analysis of potential hazards/risks of house cricking farming performance

Categories Physical hazards Chemical hazards Biological hazards Others

1. Cricket house Unstable structure of

cricket housing and roofing

can cause physical harm to the

crickets.

Improper sealing of cricket

feeding pond could allow

insect predators (e.g. birds,

lizards and cockroaches) to

harm the crickets.

Unclean housing

environment could cause

microbial infection to cricket.

Unfortunately this survey was

not able to investigate

microbial aspect.

2. Rearing wells &

den’s materials

Use of

disinfectants/sanitizer for

cleaning rearing wells at

improper concentration could

leave residue that could be

harmful to cricket.

Use of unclean water for

cleaning could cause

microbial contamination and

be harmful to crickets.

Improper concentration of

disinfectants could allow the

growth of pathogens that

could be harmful to cricket.

Improper cleaning and

disinfection of reused egg

trays could cause microbial

contamination and be harmful

to crickets

21

Table 3 (continue)

Categories Physical hazards Chemical hazards Biological hazards Others

3. Feeding vessels Improper cleaning of the

feeding vessels could cause

microbial contamination and

be harmful to crickets.

Dirty sponge being used as

medium for water sipping

could be contaminated with

microorganism that was

harmful to crickets.

4. Feeds

Improper storage of feeds

could cause microbial

contamination and growth,

which could be harmful to

crickets.

5. Water Improper management in

water feeding vessel could

cause drowning of young

crickets.

Water contaminated

or added with

chemicals at high

levels could cause

hazard to crickets.

Unclean water could cause

microbial hazard to crickets.

6. Breeds Inbreeding for more than

3 generations was observed

to cause weak crickets.

7. Cricket density in

the rearing wells

Living in high density

environment may cause the

cricket of low weight gain and

susceptible to infection.

8. Recording of farming information is one of the key components for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). Yet almost all respondents did not

have habits of recording their farming practice. Perhaps, this limits their farming monitoring and evaluation leading to unknown causes of

diseases and unable to find the direction of farming improvement.

House crickets farming &

chain of product distribution

Farm management: Modified GAHP

Distribution chain

Codex Alimentarius Commision (CAC)

Regional Codex: Asia

National Codex Contact Point

(NCCP) Cricket housing & Environment

Feeding & Water

Health & Care

Farming entering & Technical knowledge

Figure 1: Mapping of studied issues based on a modified Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) approach [Jintana Yhoung-aree, INMU]

Inspiring factors

Source of Information/ knowledge

Expectation & Achievement

Media Gov program

Friends etc

Knowledge applied for practice

Training Self trial/

experience

Space & Ventilation

Materials & design

& cost

Cricket ova

National Codex Committee

(NCC)

Prevention of pest

Waste dispose System & sanitation

Source of ova (origin) & handling

Amount/batch & cost

Proportion of ova per unit space

Record performance

Guru-friends/ Technician

Types of feed & water for each stage

Source & stock & hygiene

Feeding regimen

Care given to each stage

Diseases / problems & causes & handling

Handling between batch

Health promotion & prevention

Harvesting & Product handling

Age at harvest

Forms & handling for distribution

Container /package

Who & how

Where: consumer market

Hygienic handling

On-farm price & satisfaction

Duration to Reach consumers

1

2 3 4 5 6

Personal characteristics of farmers

Data required

22

Houses

Wells

Incubation wells Ova origin

Hatching

Rearing wells

Feeding practices

Feeds

Water

Supplementation

Moulting

& Growth

Maturation

Ova collection

Cricket harvesting

Processing & Storage

DISTRIBUTION

Figure 2 Chain of cricket rearing & distribution

Structure : roof, walls, floors

Air ventilation

Sanitation & hygiene

Materials & hygiene

Babies

Adults

Insect collectors in

wholesale market Consumers

(Wet market)

Zoo

Animal farms

(fish, lizard)

Insect collectors

wet markets

Insect collecting

shops

Mobile collectors

Community

collectors

Consumers

(wet market)

Consumers

(home)

Insect vendor

(cooked form)

Insect

collecting

shops

Insect vendor

(cooked form)

Middlemen

Export to

neighbor

countries

Insect trader

(wet markets)

Food shop

&restaurant

Insect vendor

(cooked form)

Food shop

&

restaurant

Ova origin

Selling

Breeding

Produce

Insect vendor

(cooked form)

Food shop

&

restaurant

Crickets collected

from other farms

Middlemen

Insect vendor

(cooked form)

Consumers

Consumers

23

24

Conclusion and Recommendation

The research findings displayed the pictures of cricket farming and management practices in

Thailand context. This can be summarized as follows.

The cricket farming was appreciated by all farmers as it could begin with small investment

and resulted in both cash and in-kind benefits for long term. Overall, the evident showed an

improvement of living condition of the farmers. This activity moreover was less labor

intensive activity. The task was generally light in physical input. Therefore it may be

appropriate for old farmers or retirement persons who are active.

Farming management was undertaken based on the knowledge learned from peers and

relatives. Technically, it was unclear. The farmers conducted activities based on their trial

and accumulated experiences. Many farmers showed curiosity to know appropriate farming

techniques. Unfortunately, they felt that the national policy did not give a priority to this

economic activity.

Farming practice was observed to be unacceptable in terms of hygiene and sanitation

although its effect did not observed in yield clearly. Also, inbreeding was prevalent with

attempt to reduce the cost of investment. Perhaps, the knowledge about this required

technical input.

The chain of distribution seemed to be simple and not complicate. Yet areas where the

produce distributed to seemed to be wide covering main cities, tourist spots and neighbor

countries. This reflected high demand of consumers. However, the quality of cool chain was

doubted.

Recommendation

This type of the research can be replicated in other countries. As far as the methodology is

concerned, this developed questionnaire can be implemented for the survey in other

countries. For the sample size, it should depend on the number, size and location of cricket

farms in the studied countries. The exact plan cannot be mentioned unless a tool would be

pretested. If the use of cricket as an exotic food has changed to be a main source of protein in

some countries, further study on protein utilization and food safety during long term

consumption need to be evaluated at least in animal study first.

Overall, potential critical point of hazard of the produce could be answer concretely if

activities performed in chains from farming through distribution are researched. This study

provided gaps of knowledge as follows;

1. What are effects of inbreeding to health and nutritional value of the crickets

2. Effect of feeds of different formula used by the cricket farmers. In addition, formulation of

the cricket feeds using locally available ingredient.

3. Behavioral model of cricket farming behavior with hygienic and sanitary concern

4. Development of practical guide for cricket farming using appropriate technology that can

be accessed by small farmers.

25

Bibliography

Durst PB, et al. (Eds). Edible forest Insect: Human Bite Back. FAO/RAP, Bangkok 2010.

FAO. Guide to good farming practices for animal product food safety. FAO, Rome, 2009

Hanboosong Y, Jamjanya T, Durst PB. Six-legged livestock: Edible insect farming,

collecting and marketing in Thailand. FAO/RAP, Bangkok 2013.

Annex 1 a: Interview Guide (Farmer)

1

Research on “House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers: Preliminary identification of the quality and safety and critical points of hazard of the produces”

Objective: This guide (tool) is aimed at collecting key information regarding house cricket farming issues including investment, management performance & skills, produces, returns and constraints. This preliminary investigation is to obtain key variables that will be used to formulate a conceptual framework for the following survey. Instruction 1. Research assistants begin the talk with introducing name and objective of the research to the respondents. 2. In an assigned farm, research assistants perform informal talk and observation based on this guide. A sequence of the talk is not necessary to follow the guide, yet toward the end of talk the assistant must be sure that all issues are discussed. 3. Recorder is helpful to help assistant keep all information, but before the recorder being used, the assistant is ensured that the respondent feels comfortable and permits to be recorded. 4. Note talking is also necessary especially non-verbal clue and atmosphere of talk. 5. To create friendly talk, nickname may be used instead of formal name 6. After completing the talk covering 6 main parts, the assistant expresses gratitude to the respondent with small token/a gift. Part 1: Basic characteristics of target farmer and entry of the cricket farming

Probing issues

1) Personal characteristics of cricket farmer: age, gender, education achievement, religion, marital status and place of birth/origin

2) Family data; family size, number of members earning income, number of member participating in the cricket farm

For participating the cricket farm, who? and role in the cricket farm?

3) When the cricket farm started? Month-year? Duration of conducting the cricket farm

Prior to carry on the cricket farm, what occupation being held. Currently that job has been doing? If so, how do you manage your time to the cricket rearing and other job?

4) Why are you interesting in rearing the crickets? Or what inspired you about the cricket farming?

What expectation? Up to now, your expectation has been achieved? If so, what? how?

5) Before starting the crickets farm, have you ever been technically trained for farming management?

If so, when (year)?, where? training organization?

6) Up to now, have you accessed to the technical training for the cricket farming yet?

If so, when (year)?, where? training organization?

7) In practice, have you applied the knowledge Acquired from training course into your farm?

Which issues being applied? And which of not being applied?

Annex 1 a: Interview Guide (Farmer)

2

Probing issues

8) If never been accessed to training, how do you learn about the cricket farming?

Which sources & issues of the cricket rearing you learn from? (TV, radio program, newspaper, etc).

Part 2: Cricket house & sanitary environment

1) Size (m2) and materials of the cricket house at first start?

Estimated budget being used to build the cricket house?

2) Currently, size (m2) and appearance of the cricket houses

Number of cricket houses, materials and its stability, what has been improved from the first starting of the farm, and money used to additional investment.

3) Future plan setting for the cricket house? If expansion of the cricket house is mentioned, whether the farmer concern about living density of the crickets in each well?

4) Cleaning of the cricket houses & rearing vessels? If exists, frequency of cleaning?

Source of water for cleaning? How the quality of water being managed?

5) Use of disinfectant/sanitizing agent to clean the Rearing vessels, floor & houses? If yes, what? frequency of its use?

How the farmer prepares sanitizer (dilution) and how it is applied?

6) How cricket waste has been managed? Frequency of waste collection from rearing vessels, what the waste being used for?

7) After harvesting and cleaning, how long the rearing vessels have been rested before the following batch being started?

Any effects of the period of vessel resting on the cricket productivity?

8) Other information emerging from the interview or observation?

Assistant: Taking note

Part 3: Cricket farm investment & management

1) What species of the crickets being farmed (Sa-ding, Thongdum, Thongdaeng)?

If more than one type, why?

2) When starting the cricket farm, where did you get the cricket ova from? Volume (cups of ova) and cost of ova?

Distant from farm to the ova source, how ova transport being managed?

3) How did you manage the cricket ova once it arrived at the farm; e.g. frozen ova.

Incubation of ova management?

Annex 1 a: Interview Guide (Farmer)

3

Probing issues

4) For a current batch of rearing, where did you get the cricket ova from?

a) If inbreeding is observed, does the farmer know about inbreeding effect? If so, what effects? From whom he/she learned about this? b) If the farmer uses the ova from other sources;

whether the farmer mixes incoming ova with ova of their own farm, why he/she perform this?

whether he/she uses only for a current rearing batch, why?

5) Would the farmer explain the characteristics of good quality of the cricket ova? What factors contribute to produce good quality of the ova?

Where mentioned information were learned from?

6) Would the farmer know about the appropriate cricket population density per space of rearing vessel? How?

Whether living density affects health of crickets or its productivity? how & why?

7) What kinds of feeds the farmer uses to feed the crickets? Whether feeding is different by ages of the crickets? Why?

Any different effects of feeds on the cricket’s health and growth? Where did he/she learn about this knowledge?

8) Who is feed supplier? Frequency & volume of feeds acquired each order?

How long the feeds being kept for each stock? How much of each stock?

9) Any local food being applied for feeding the crickets? If yes, what?

Where & how the farmer learned about the use of local food.

10) Source of water used in the cricket farms? Whether the water being treated?, how?

11) Feed supplementation for health of the cricket; whether it is existing? If exists, cricket’s age at supplementation, what kind of supplementation, how & why?

Source of this knowledge the farmer acquired from? Whether it works in their effects on health & growth of the crickets?

12) Any disease or health problems presented in the crickets; If yes, what kind of disease, its causal factors? Which period of time & ages being prone to be infected?

Whether the farmer experienced of damages due to the disease outbreak? If so, what & how it happened? How he/she overcome with such problems and cost?

13) In terms of farming management, what constraints in conducting the crickets farming being encountered?

What farmer’s proposal to solve the problems or to improve the cricket business?

14) For each batch of rearing does the farmer take note/record data about activities concerned? If yes, what kind of data being noted? How important of such data?

If not, why not record? Whether he/she thought recording may help him/her to monitor their farm in order to improve the productivity?

15) Any other managerial performance performed by his/her own sense?

Whether the farm shared his/her experiences of the cricket rearing to others? If so, what being shared and to whom?

Annex 1 a: Interview Guide (Farmer)

4

Part 4: Harvesting, productivity & distribution of produces

Probing issues

1) Appropriate ages of the crickets to be harvested? Ages at harvesting of species; Sading, Thongdum and Thongdaeng

2) Description of steps of the harvest (If applicable) probing about their skill upgrading and source of knowledge.

3) Description of distribution process; containers, Buyers & their origin, distance of market/collecting site, transportation, price, etc

(Observed) Clean container? How it was handled.

4) Forms of crickets to be distributed; alive, salted, iced, frozen, fried etc

If frying being mentioned, the assistant observes cooking oil (if allows). Otherwise asking whether he/she repeatedly used cooking oil?

5) Farmer’s perspective on cricket business in the future?

How to reach their needs for cricket business based on the farmer’s views.

6) Other information shared by the farmer about harvesting and distribution

Part 5: Outcomes & constraints

1) How much is farm price of the cricket (Baht/kg) Whether the price varies based on season? Which season gives good price, why?

2) How much the farmer earn from operating the cricket farm; minimum-maximum/average per harvest?

Please note if the farmer is not willing to disclose their data

3) Overall, what are returns the farmer receive from operating the cricket farm; income, benefits (including in-kind returns)

(If any) Elaborating issues by giving example.

4) How the cricket farming improves your family Living status?

5) What are limitations or constraints overcome by the farmer?

What he/she would like to propose their ideas how the cricket farming business could be improved?

6) Other information the farmer would like to share

Annex 1 a: Interview Guide (Farmer)

5

Part 6: Cricket distribution (Cricket collector) Objective: This part pertains to the cricket distribution matter. A farmer acting as the cricket collector, cricket buyers, middlemen will be respondents of this part.

Probing issues

1) How long he/she operate a business of cricket collection/selling (months-years)?

What are attractive factors of this business? Whether he/she collects only crickets or other types of edible insects as well?

2) Which period of the year (months/season) that the cricket business makes him/her good income

Why & how?

3) How far cricket farms that he/she collects their produce?

Whether the farm in community or other community? Each trip of the cricket collection, how long does it take?

4) How does he/she collect the crickets; home based, mobile collection (by pick-up), collection at certain market etc.

(If applicable) Observing facilities to keep a stock of cricket collected & its cleanliness etc.

5) If the collection is undertaken via pick-up, how far the distance of farms located?

Cooling facility used to preserve the crickets?

6) Labor of the cricket collection; family labor? Hired labor? Number?

(If applicable) Observing their health status & cleanliness/hygiene

7) Forms of the cricket collected; alive, iced, cooked, etc.

How long was it stored after collection?

8) How the collected crickets being chained/sold to the next buyers? Who are next buyer/middleman, markets & its location?

Mean of selling?

9) Approximately, how much he/she earned from cricket collection & distribution business per trip?

Please note, if the respondent is not willing to answer.

10) Other information shared by the respondent regarding the cricket collection & distribution

Annex 1b: Observation Checklist (Cricket farm)

1

Research on “House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers: Preliminary identification of the quality and safety and critical points of hazard of the produces”

Objective: This tool is used to collect the data related to hygienic and sanitary performance of cricket farming. The data is mainly obtained via observation Instruction 1. The research assistants are suggested to use this checklist form after he/she finish using the interview guide. 2. This tool is flexible. Most categories in this form can be observed, but inquiry may be needed.

3. For any given item, more than one choice is allowed. The assistant mark “ or X” in parenthesis that relevant to the fact. In addition, the assistants could also take additional note if necessary. 4. The tool contains 8 key issues, ensuring all items are completed before leaving the respondent Form No: ___ ___ First-family name of farmer: ____________________________ Age: ______ yrs Gender: [ ] Male [ ] Female Location of farm: _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Name of Research assistant: _____________________________ Date: ____/_____/___ 1. Cricket house: Number __________ houses 1.1 Surrounding of a cricket house [ ] Dry area [ ] Wet area [ ] Few garbage/waste [ ] Lots of garbage/waste [ ] Domesticated animal around

[ ] No toilet around/or farther than 5 meter [ ] Toilet locating in 5 meter distance [ ] Generally clean [ ] Look dirty [ ] Specify __________________________

1.2 Cricket house [ ] Close wall [ ] Stable wall materials, e.g., cement, wood [ ] Semi-stable wall material, e.g., bamboo, corrugated metal [ ] Plastic net wall

[ ] Incomplete building wall [ ] No wall [ ] Air ventilation - good [ ] Air ventilation – not good [ ] specify; ________________________

Annex 1b: Observation Checklist (Cricket farm)

2

1.3 Roof of the cricket house [ ] Roofed by tiles [ ] Roofed by corrugated metal [ ] Roofed by grass [ ] Dusty/full of spider web [ ] Slightly dusty

[ ] having holes, not completely protect rain/sun [ ] Broken roof cannot protect rain/sun [ ] Specify _________________________

1.4 Floor of the cricket house [ ] Ground [ ] Cement [ ] Dry [ ] Wet [ ] Clean/without garbage

[ ] Slightly dirty [ ] Dirty – full of garbage [ ] Things being kept in well organized [ ] Putting things messily [ ] Specify _________________________

2. Rearing vessels/Wells [ ] Cement [ ] Plastic drawer sheet [ ] Plastic net [ ] Wood [ ] Rectangular shape ________ wells [ ] Cylinder shape _______ wells

[ ] Un-used vessels - clean [ ] Un-used vessels - dirty [ ] Used vessels – clean [ ] Used vessels – dirty [ ] Specify _______________________

3. Cleaning management after harvesting [ ] Wiping-up cricket waste/garbage only [ ] Washing vessels by water [ ] Washing vessels by disinfectant or Sanitizer; dilution prepared _______

[ ] Cleaning by Effective Microorganism (EM) solution [ ] Cleaning by detergent (detergent for cloth/dishes) [ ] Specify ______________________

4. Feeds for the crickets [ ] Chicken feed; Protein _____ % [ ] Broiler feed; Protein _____ % [ ] Fish feed; Protein _____ % [ ] Pig feed; Protein _____ % [ ] Rice bran [ ] Vegetables; specify ______________ [ ] Fruits; specify __________________ [ ] Feed sacks being kept tidy in corner

[ ] Feed sacks being scattered [ ] No feed sack being observed [ ] Buy feed little by little/or buying it daily [ ] Storing feed in buckets [ ] Feed being expired [ ] Feed container-clean [ ] Feed container- dirty [ ] Specify _________________________

5. Feed supplementation [ ] No supplementation being observed [ ] Adding EM solution/home made organic solution in … ( ) water ( ) Feed

[ ] Adding vitamin & mineral powder (commercial form) in feed [ ] Feeding herbal medicine [ ] Specify ______________________

6. Water used in the cricket farm [ ] Pipe water [ ] Water collected from pond [ ] Water collected from creek/river/canal [ ] Appearance of water – clear

[ ] Appearance of water - opaque [ ] Water treatment properly [ ] Untreated water [ ] Specify _________________________

Annex 1b: Observation Checklist (Cricket farm)

3

7. Water feeder [ ] Medium - Sand [ ] Medium - Stone [ ] Medium - Sponge [ ] Medium - Cloth [ ] Medium - Grass/straw

[ ] Clean water container [ ] Dirty water container [ ] Specify _________________________

8. Species & breeders [ ] Sa-ding; ______ wells [ ] Thongdum/Thongdaeng; _____ wells [ ] Mixed specie in the same vessels _____ wells [ ] Current batch; inbreeding [ ] Current batch; mixed ova with other sources

[ ] Current batch; mixed ova by nature breeders [ ] Consistent sizes of crickets in the same vessels [ ] Inconsistent size of crickets in the same vessels [ ] Specify _________________________

9. Harvesting operation [ ] No evident observed [ ] Alive harvested in a cage [ ] Iced harvest in container

[ ] Alive in plastic bags and covered by ice [ ] Specify _____________________

10. Transportation to outlet/market [ ] Form of cricket- Alive [ ] Form of cricket- iced [ ] Form of cricket- Frozen [ ] Vehicle – pick-up/car [ ] Vehicle – motorcycle [ ] Vehicle – Bike

[ ] Container – cage [ ] Container – plastic bags [ ] Container – clean [ ] Container – dirty [ ] Specify _______________________

11. Other observations related to the cricket business. _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

1

Research on “House cricket farming and chain of distribution to consumers: Preliminary identification of the quality and safety and critical points of hazard of the produces”

Instruction 1. This questionnaire is used to collect the data from cricket farmers. 2. Researcher/Research assistant begins an interview with introduction of his/her name, objective of study, permission to ask for data. 3. Some questions may require observation data to support. 4. The questionnaire contains 4 parts. The respondent who rear cricket only will be asked Part 1, 2 and 4. Those who rear the cricket as well as collect crickets from other farms needs to complete all parts (1,2, 3 and 4). 5. Before leaving the farm, be ensure that all questions are asked. Then researcher gives a gift/token with thank before leaving a farm. Part 1: Basic characteristics of farmer & entering the cricket farm Part 2: Investment & Management Part 3: Cricket collection from others (For farmer who not only rear cricket but also collect the cricket from other farms) Part 4: Result/Return & constraints Location of farm: House No: …………… Village ......................... Tambon ............................ District. ........................... Province. ............................ Mobile phone: ……………………… Email: ..……………………..... Respondent’s name: ............................................. Age: _____ ปี Gender: [ 1 ] Male [ 2 ] Female [ ] Cricket farmer [ ] Spouse of farmer [ ] Parents of farmer Role related to cricket farm [ ] Rearing crickets ONLY: Complete Parts 1, 2, 4 (skip Part 3) [ ] Rearing cricket & collect crickets from other farms: Complete Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 Name of Researcher: ............................................... Date of interview (D/M/Y): __ __ / ___ ___ / 2014 Name of collectors of the crickets of this farm: .................................................. Province: ......................................... Mobile Phone: ......................................................

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

2

Part 1: Basic characteristics of farmer & entering the cricket farm 1. Farmer information Age ___ ___ years Gender [ 1 ] Male [ 2 ] Female Education attainment [ 1 ] Grade 4 or lower

[ 2 ] Por 5-6-7 [ 3 ] Mor 1-2-3 [ 4 ] Mor 4-5-6 [ 5 ] Vocational level

[ 6 ] External education program; Equivalent to grade ....................... [ 7 ] Bachelor degree [ 8 ] Master degree [ 9 ] Higher than master degree

Religion [ 1 ] Buddhism [ 2 ] Christian [ 3 ] Islam Marital status [ 1 ] Single [ 2 ] Married [ 3 ] Widow/widower/divorced Birth place (Province) ...................................... 2. Family size ___ ___ persons No of labor to rear crickets ____ persons 3. When to begin a cricket farm Year __ __ __ __ Total ____ Years _____ months 4. What are attractive factors inducing you to rear crickets (see below)? [ 0 ] No [ 1 ] Yes Want additional income to repay for debt Want money to support child’s education Cricket farm provides good income/return Cricket farm is simple task Requiring low cost of investment Cricket farm is light task/not expose to sun Wanting to make use of free time For leisure High market demand Keep family members reunited Introduced by income generation scheme; specify ......................................................... Specify …….................................................

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Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

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5. What kind of job/task did you do prior to rear crickets and whether those jobs are currently continue?

Type of job Prior to cricket rearing Current job No Yes No/Quit Yes

Rice farming Cash cropping (Cassava, corn, etc) Vegetable farm Fruit farm Plant nursery Trading Mobile vendor Selling food-snacks Employed by private agency Employed by government offices Selling labor/Casual labor Only cricket farming Others ..............................................

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Part 2: Investment & Management 1. Source of loan for cricket farm? [ 0 ] Own saving/ not get loan

[ 1 ] Bank of Agriculture & Cooperatives

[ ] Specify ..................................

2. Amount of first investment ___________ THB 3. Number of labor Total Number ______ persons ______ persons

Family labor _____ persons _______ persons Hired labor _____ persons; payment _________ THB/day _____ persons; payment _________ THB/day

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

4

A. First entering cricket farm B. Current situation of farming

4. Formal training on cricket farming

[ 0 ] Never attended training [ 1 ] Yes; By who? .......................................

Up to this moment; attending the formal training? [ 0 ] No [ 1 ] Yes _____ times By who ..........................................................

5. Source of knowledge applied for operating the cricket farming

[ 1 ] Self trial [ 2 ] friends/other farmers [ 3 ] TV/newspaper [ 4 ] Online information/Internet [ 5 ] Acquire from training [ ] Other ........................................................

[ 1 ] Self experience [ 2 ] friends/other farmers [ 3 ] TV/newspaper [ 4 ] Online information/Internet [ 5 ] Acquire from training [ ] Other ........................................................

6. Cricket house [Some issues are recorded by observation] Location [ 1 ] Underneath farmer’s house

[ 2 ] Building separate from a house [ ] Other; ……………..…………………

[ 1 ] Underneath farmer’s house [ 2 ] Building separate from a house [ ] Other; ……………..…………………

Size of cricket house: Width x Length x Height of roof

Building 1: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Building 2: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Building 3: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Total area = _________ sq meter.

Building 1: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Building 2: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Building 3: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Building 4: = ___ m. x ____ m x ____ m. Total area = _________ sq meter.

Roof of cricket house [ 0 ] no roof [ 1 ] having roof [ 0 ] no roof [ 1 ] having roof Material of roof [ 8 ] No roof

[ 1 ] corrugated sheet [ 2 ] tile [ 3 ] Leaves/grass [ ] Others; .....................................................

[ 8 ] No roof [ 1 ] corrugated sheet [ 2 ] tile [ 3 ] Leaves/grass [ ] Others; .....................................................

(Observe) appearance of roof [ 1 ] stable/permanent [ 2 ] degenerate/unable to protect sun/rain [ 3 ] Full of dust/spider web [ ] ...................................................................

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

5

A. First entering cricket farm B. Current situation of farming

Wall of cricket house [ 0 ] No wall [ 1 ] having wall [ 0 ] No wall [ 1 ] having wall Material of wall [ 8 ] No wall

[ 1 ] Wood; completely close [ 2 ] Wood; partially close/having holds [ 3 ] Plywood [ 4 ] Plastic net [ ] Others; ...................................................

[ 8 ] No wall [ 1 ] Wood; completely close [ 2 ] Wood; partially close/having holds [ 3 ] Plywood [ 4 ] Plastic net [ ] Others; ...................................................

Floor of cricket house [ 1 ] Ground [ 2 ] Wood [ 3 ] Concrete [ ] Others; ..................................................

[ 1 ] Ground [ 2 ] Wood [ 3 ] Concrete [ ] Others; ..................................................

How to clean the floor [ 0 ] Never clean [ 1 ] Occasional wiping [ 2 ] Regular wiping [ 3 ] Cleaning by using disinfectant Name of disinfectant: ……….......……. Dilution used: ........................................... Frequency of cleaning: ….........................

(Observe) Appearance of floor [ 1 ] Clean & dry [ 2 ] Dirt; full of garbage/ grass on walk way between cricket wells [ 3 ] Wet & unclean [ ] Others; .....................................................

(Observe) General appearance of cricket house

[ 1 ] Good ventilation [ 2 ] Surrounded by buildings, air not ventilate well [ 3 ] Full of dust/spider webs/unclean [ 4 ] Locating near toilet/waste with distance ________ meters [ ] Others; .......................................................

(Observe) How feed being kept [ 1 ] Placing on floor [ 2 ] Having specific area [ 3 ] Keeping in dusty place/unclean [ ] Others; .....................................................

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

6

A. First entering cricket farm B. Current situation of farming

7. Cricket well

Number of well ________ wells

________ wells

Material of cricket wells [ 1 ] Cement [ 2 ] Gypsum board [ 3 ] Plywood [ 4 ] Plastic net [ 5 ] Plastic sheet [ 6 ] Feature board [ ] Others; ...................................................

[ 1 ] Cement [ 2 ] Gypsum board [ 3 ] Plywood [ 4 ] Plastic net [ 5 ] Plastic sheet [ 6 ] Feature board [ ] Others; ...................................................

Size of cricket wells width x Length x height

(meter3)

Size 1: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____ Size 2: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____ Size 3: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____

Size 1: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____ Size 2: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____ Size 3: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____ Size 3: ___ x ___ x ___ . Number _____

(Observe) Well cover material [ 0 ] No cover [ 1 ] Plastic net, clean [ 2 ] Plastic net, dirty [ ] Others; .....................................................

How to clean cricket wells [ 1 ] Wiping only [ 2 ] Cleaned by water and let it dry [ 3 ] Cleaned by disinfectant Name of agent used .................................... Dilution ………….................................... [ 4 ] Sprinkling lime powder after washing [ ] .................................................................

After cleaning, how long the wells being left before starting

new batch of crickets

[ 0 ] Continue the new batch once the harvest finish [ 1 ] Waiting for the eggs being hatched, that is around ________ days [ ] Others; ……..………………………..

Any wells specifically used for incubation (hatching) cricket

eggs

[ 0 ] Not available [ 1 ] Yes; specify _______ wells

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

7

A. First entering cricket farm B. Current situation of farming

7. Species of crickets สายพนัธ์ุจ้ิงหรีดท่ีเล้ียง [ 1 ] Acheta domesticus (Sa-ding)

[ 2 ] Gryllus bimaculatus (Thong-dum) [ 3 ] Gryllus testaceus (Thong-daeng)

[ 1 ] Acheta domesticus (Sa-ding) [ 2 ] Gryllus bimaculatus (Thong-dum) [ 3 ] Gryllus testaceus (Thong-daeng)

Source of cricket eggs [ 1 ] Friend’s farm in village [ 2 ] Farmer in other villages/other province [ 3 ] From neighbor country ………………… [ 4 ] natural caught [ ] Others; ....................................................

[ 1 ] Friend’s farm in village [ 2 ] Farmer in other villages/other province [ 3 ] From neighbor country ………………… [ 4 ] natural caught [ 5 ] collecting from own farm [ ] Others; ....................................................

8. Cross breeding

[ 1 ] Breeding from eggs collected from own farm since starting the cricket farm [ 2 ] Cross breeding by using eggs collected by own farm but eggs from different wells

[ 3 ] Breeding crickets using eggs from own farm for ____ batches, then cross breeding with eggs from other sources [ ] Others; ......................................................

9. Has “close blood” affected to the produce?

[ 0 ] Don’t know [ 1 ] No effect [ 2 ] Causing crickets having small in their sizes

[ 3 ] Causing weakness and susceptible to infection, or death. [ ] Others; .………………………………

10. How good quality of cricket Eggs looks like?

[ 0 ] Don’t know [ 1 ] Big in its size [ 2 ] Clear yellowish

[ 3 ] Clear white [ ] Others; .....................................................

11. In each well of breeding, how much eggs being used

Well size 1: ________ egg cups/well Well size 2: ________ egg cups/well Well size 3: ________ egg cups/well

(Observe) Appearance of cricket density in wells [ 1 ] Too loose [ 2 ] Properly dense [ 3 ] Too dense [ ] Others; ……………………………..

12. What kind of cricket foods and how to feed them? [ ] Cricket feed; Protein content ____ % start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Feed for catfish; Protein content ____ % start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Feed for chicken; Protein content ____ % start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Feed for broiler; Protein content ____ % start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

8

[ ] Rice bran % start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Mixture of feed; specify feeds and ratio of each feed ………………………………………………………………..………........ start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Feeding pumpkin; start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Feeding vegetables; specify …….................................... start to feed at age ______ days; Till ages ______ days [ ] Others; ………………………...................................................................................……………………………………… 13. Using nutrient supplement in feeds [ 0 ] Not use [ 1 ] Use nutrients supplement; specify name .............................................................. Ratio of mixture ........................................................ 14. For each batch of feed buying, how long it lasts __________ days __________ months 15. Drinking water for crickets [ 1 ] Rain water

[ 2 ] Water from well [ 3 ] Water from creek/river [ 4 ] Pipe water [ ] Others; ……………………………

Describe how to feed water: .......................... .......................................................................... ..........................................................................

16. Use of nutrient supplement in water

[ 0 ] not use/only plain water [ 1 ] Water + chitosan [ 2 ] Water + Calcium powder [ 3 ] Water + Vitamin B12

[ 4 ] Water + Effective Microorganism (EM) [ 5 ] Water + morass [ ] Others; ......................................................

17. If use nutrient supplement in water, what this supplementation affect on cricket

[ 1 ] Make crickets strong/healthy [ 2 ] Help get rid of bad smell caused by feed

[ ] Others; ….…………………………….

18. Which age the nourishing water being fed to cricket

Age _______ days. Source of this knowledge ..................................

19. Do you always record all steps in each batch of cricket rearing?

[ 0 ] Never record [ 1 ] Record only starting date when cricket babies being put in well

[ 2 ] Record feeding [ ] Others; .....................................................

20. How long does it take from the first step till harvesting Sa-ding ________ days Thong dum/Thong daeng ________ days

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

9

21. Distribution of cricket out of the farm มีลกัษณะใด?

[ ] alive crickets [ ] Crickets cooled by ice [ ] Frozen crickets

[ ] Fried crickets [ ] Steamed/blanched crickets [ ] Others; ......................................................

(Observe) Cleanliness of containers used …….................................................................................. 22. Where the crickets from your farm being marketed to?

[ ] Rong-Kueh market [ ] Wholesale market; specify ………… ………………..................................... [ ] Mobile buyers collecting on farm Province of buyers ..................................

[ ] Consumers in village [ ] Farmer sells crickets directly in local market [ ] Sell crickets to contract buyer [ ] Others; ....................................................

Part 3: Cricket collection from others (For respondents who do both rearing & collecting crickets from other farms) 1. How long since you have started business of cricket collection from other farms _______ months _______ years 2. Have you collect other species of insects?

[ 0 ] No, only crickets [ 1 ] Yes; specify .......................................

3. Forms of crickets bought [ 1 ] Alive crickets [ 2 ] Crickets cooled by ice [ 3 ] Frozen crickets

[ 4 ] Fried crickets [ 5 ] Steamed/blanched cricket [ ] Others; ......................................................

4. How do you buy crickets from other farms

[ 1 ] By own vehicle, distance from farm _______ km.

[ 2 ] Buying crickets occurring at home [ ] Others; ....................................................

5. Containers used to collect Crickets from other farms

[ 1 ] Cages mage from net; capacity _____ kg [ 2 ] Ice box; capacity _____ kg

[ ] Others; ….…………………………….

6. (Observe) Cleanliness of vehicle/containers

Vehicle

[ 1 ] Clean [ 2 ] unclean [ ] Others; ....................................................

Containers [ 1 ] Clean [ 2 ] unclean [ ] Others; ....................................................

7. How the crickets being distributed? [ 1 ] Selling directly to consumers

[ 2 ] Selling to middlemen [ 3 ] Selling to fish pond business [ 4 ] Selling to ornament fish business

[ 5 ] Selling to chicken farm [ 6 ] Selling to gecko farm [ ] Others; ….……………………………

8. Which period the cricket business make good income? [ 1 ] Winter [ 2 ] Summer [ 3 ] Rain

Annex 2: Questionnaire for Cricket Farming management (Farmer) Form No: _____ _____ _______

10

9. How much you earn from cricket collecting business; Minimum __________ Baht/trip; Maximum _________ Baht/trip Or average ___________ Baht/trip [ ] Not willing to answer 10. How often do you collect the cricket from other farms: _________ trips/week Or _________ trip/month. Part 4: Result/Return & constraints 1. On farm price of crickets Sa-ding Thong-dum/Thong-daeng

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Winter ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg Winter ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg Summer ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg Summer ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg Rain ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg Rain ____ Baht/kg ____ Baht/kg

2. Up to this moment, how much you earn from cricket farming? Selling crickets; Minimum _________ baht/round & Maximum __________ Baht/round Or average __________ Baht/round Selling cricket eggs ___________ Baht/round [ ] Never sell cricket eggs Selling crickets waste _____________ Baht/round [ ] Never sell cricket feces Total income; minimum _________ Baht/round & maximum __________ Baht/round Or average __________ Baht/round 3. In the previous round (breed), how much of the cricket produce harvested? Sa-ding _______ kg Number of well _____ selling price _______ baht/kg Total income _____________ baht Thong-dum/Thong-daeng _______ kg Number of well _____ selling price _______ baht/kg Total income _________ baht Selling cricket eggs __________ Baht [ ] Not sell eggs Selling cricket waste _________ Baht [ ] Not sell feces 4. Constraints of cricket rearing? [ 0 ] None

[ 1 ] Slow growth in winter [ 2 ] High mortality in winter

[ 3 ] Disease; specify................................ [ 4 ] High cost of feeds [ ] Others; ................................................

5. How income earned from cricket rearing help improve your family? [ 1 ] used to pay for debt

[ ] For children education [ ] Buy car/motorcycle

[ ] Buying land/house/repairing house [ ] Having money to spend on various ceremonies [ ] Others; ....................................................

6. Other observation; .................................................................................................................................................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…