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Economy

Livelihoods from commercial cricket farming in the highlands of Nghe An province.

Thanh Phuc - Khanh Ly • June 23, 2025 15:47

In the remote highlands of Cam Muon (Que Phong, Nghe An), where the harsh sun and strong winds of the mountains often deter young people from starting businesses, Pham Cong Van, a young man from Hai Phong, persevered in building his economy through cricket farming.

bna_chuong(1).jpg — From just two initial experimental cages, Van's cricket farm, now spanning 32 cages, is the first systematic commercial cricket farming model in the mountainous border region of Nghe An province. Photo: TP

khay 2 — Each tray of crickets represents a life cycle – growing, reproducing, and self-contained in one place, demonstrating the absolute control of the breeder. Photo: KL

Healthy, uniformly sized crickets with shiny wings, raised on garden vegetables, cornmeal, and pumpkin, are a clean food source for the specialty food and pet bird markets. Photo: TP

cho ăn — Without the need for commercial feed, crickets grow quickly thanks to the readily available green vegetables around the home garden, which is both economical and safe. Photo: KL

"Crickets don't drink water like chickens or ducks; instead, you need to spray them with a fine mist to maintain sufficient moisture without causing waterlogging," Mr. Van shared his secret. Photo: TP

giá thể — Using coconut fiber, sand, netting, and observational experience, breeders create ideal "egg nests"—a crucial step in the breeding process. Photo: TP

The eggs are as small as grains of rice, and each tray contains thousands of eggs, carrying with them the hopes of a highland family for their livelihood. Photo: KL

Trứng nhỏ như hạt gạo, mỗi khay thu hàng nghìn trứng mang theo cả kỳ vọng sinh kế của một hộ dân vùng cao. Ảnh: K.L — Separating cricket eggs requires patience and precision because they are very sensitive to temperature, humidity, and light. (Photo: TP)

After 45–60 days of rearing, the crickets reach market age, their intestines are cleaned, and then they are processed. Photo: KL

đóng gói — Currently, Mr. Van has invested in freezing and packaging machines, ensuring that the crickets reach customers with their quality intact. Photo: TP

Growing your own vegetables and cassava to ensure a reliable food source helps the farm operate as a closed loop, saving money and improving efficiency. Photo: KL

Not only is Pham Cong Van a successful businessman, but he is also an inspiring figure. Every week, people from the commune come to him to ask for breeding stock and learn his techniques. Van shared: “I tried it myself, and when I found it effective, I shared it. I support anyone who needs it as much as I can. Crickets are easier to raise than chickens or pigs, have a quick turnover, require little capital, and yield high returns.” (Photo: TP)

Clip: Phuc - Ly

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Livelihoods from commercial cricket farming in the highlands of Nghe An province.

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