Cricket Farming in Indonesia: Challenge and Opportunity

Abstract

Abstrack : Raising non-livestock animals such as bees, worms, silkworms, crickets, mouses, butterflies, birds and other prospective animals is now starting to be recognized since they have several advantages compared to other conventional animals. Insects become something to consider as a new business in urban areas with low input for farming activities. To run business on insects, a person does not need a big capital since it does not require a large area or special care. The animals are not only easy to raise, but the operational costs are also quite low, making this business would be economically potential. One of those is crickets, which commonly become important sources of feed for other animals such as birds, reptiles and fish, and providing important components in the preparation of animal feed. There is a belief that birds fed crickets will produce a distinct and unique sound. These caharacteristics give a kind of excitement to the bird owner who keep birds as hobbies or has higher price for sale. In fact, crickets are generally used as a source of alternative protein for both, whether birds or conventional livestock, and human consumption in some regions in Central Java. Reported that crickets had high protein content (61.58%) with a fairly complete amino acids contents. The protein content is even capable to substitute a number of protein material sources such as soybean meal and fish meal which are commonly used in animal feed.