Mrs. Thanphichcha Theeraratchanon, Director of the Office of Agricultural Economics 2, Phitsanulok (OAE2), Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), revealed that “crickets” are one of the alternative agricultural products with a future. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) promotes them as a new type of food for the future population, or Novel Food, which is an alternative protein source with high nutritional value. In Thailand, Sukhothai Province is an important source of cricket economic insects in the North because the hot and humid climate is suitable for cricket growth. In addition, farmers are also promoted to form large-scale farm groups to produce crickets with quality standards.

In the fiscal year 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOA) has integrated with agencies outside the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Focus on driving the high-value agricultural and service products project "1 Local 1 High-Value Agricultural Product" in Sukhothai Province, product type "crickets" of the Chutikan Large-Scale Cricket Farming Community Enterprise Group, Tha Chai Sub-district, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province, which is a prototype group with production potential in the area. It has been certified by GAP cricket farm standards in order to enhance production potential to increase value, generate income and develop the quality of life of farmers to have a good life in accordance with the principle of "Market Leading, Innovation Supporting, Increase Income" in a stable and sustainable manner. OAE 2 visited the area to follow up on the operations of the Chutikan Large-Scale Cricket Farming Community Enterprise Group, Tha Chai Sub-district, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province.

They began forming large-scale groups under the policy of promoting large-scale agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and registered as an enterprise on March 12, 2019 with Ms. Chutikan Chueajiao as the group chairperson. Currently, there are 36 group members and a total farming area of ??223 rai. In terms of the production situation Farmers usually raise 3 species: white crickets (sa-ding), black gold crickets and grasshoppers because they are commercial species. They take a short time to raise and get a quick return. The raising method is divided into raising in a group greenhouse. The raising is done in a tightly closed greenhouse. The temperature in the greenhouse is controlled at 29-33 degrees Celsius. The raising tray must not have any holes. Tape must be attached to the edge of the tray to prevent the crickets from getting out. A mosquito net must be used to cover the tray. Inside the tray, egg trays are arranged. There is a specific area for feeding and watering. Some are raised at the farmers' homes.

They use plywood cricket raising boxes about 1.20 x 2.40 meters. Cricket food includes concentrated food (rice bran) / ready-made food mixed with various vegetables that the farmers grow themselves without chemicals. Harvesting After the egg trays are arranged for about 7-9 days, the eggs will start to hatch. They are raised for another 45 days before being sold. Within 1 year, 6 batches of crickets can be raised. In 2024, the group's 3 cricket species will produce a total of 24 tons/year. The price that farmers can sell (price as of 25 April 2025) is divided into the wholesale price, which is an average of 85 baht/kilogram, and the retail price, which is an average of 120 baht/kilogram. Farmers receive an average return of 79,000 baht/year or 13,167 baht/batch. The average net return (profit) is 62,682 baht/year or 10,477 baht/batch. In terms of the market situation, most of the produce, 95 percent, is sold by the group members to Chutikan Cricket Farm Co., Ltd. for processing into various products according to customer needs. The remaining 5 percent is sold to buyers.

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