A farmer from the Nakhon Phanom province in northeast Thailand has achieved success by breeding Patanga grasshoppers and selling their eggs at a price of 10,000 baht per kilogram. These grasshoppers are found in various parts of Asia. Initially pursued as a part-time occupation, the venture has experienced a surge in demand, resulting in a growing number of orders. The farmer, Somsit Ritthipa, aged 51, had previously experimented with raising different animals, but eventually turned to breeding these grasshoppers due to their lucrative financial prospects.
Somsit, who had attended an agricultural college in the local area, had been working at the forestry office in Nakhon Phanom. As a supplementary source of income, he raised pigs, chickens, fish, and frogs at his backyard during his free time. One day, he stumbled upon a YouTube video that showcased the rearing of Patanga grasshoppers in Sisaket province, where the eggs were being sold for 10,000 baht per kilogram. Intrigued by the idea, Somsit decided to invest 1,000 baht in purchasing eggs to test out this new venture.
According to Somsit, he created a simple enclosure to rear the grasshoppers and followed the video’s recommendations by feeding them grass and leaves. He found that raising these grasshoppers was relatively easy, as it didn’t require much water and they were low-maintenance. After a period of 30 to 35 days, the grasshoppers would mate and lay their eggs, after which they naturally died within 50 to 60 days.
Farmers who successfully breed these grasshoppers have the option to sell the eggs or the live grasshoppers to local vendors, who then distribute them in the markets. The live grasshoppers can fetch a price of 450 to 600 baht per kilogram, depending on the region.
Somsit’s first batch of grasshoppers generated an income of 12,000 baht from egg sales, while the second batch brought in 15,000 baht. Currently, the third batch has received orders for at least 3 kilograms of eggs from customers in nearby districts and sub-districts, placed through their Facebook page.
