High-altitude cricket farm symbolizing sustainable food source.

Cricket Farming: Could High-Altitude Farms Solve Food Security?

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Samir D’Costa in Science & Nature September 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores the viability of cricket farming in cooler climates, potentially expanding production and combating food insecurity."


For centuries, communities across Kenya have relied on insects as a food source, traditionally harvesting them from the wild. However, this practice is evolving, with a growing shift towards farming selected insect species in homesteads and farms. This transition addresses sustainability concerns and caters to the increasing global interest in entomophagy—the practice of eating insects.

Among the various edible insects, Acheta domesticus, commonly known as the house cricket, has emerged as a popular choice for farming in Kenya. Studies have revealed the cricket's impressive nutritional profile, boasting high levels of protein, fat, iron, and zinc. These findings suggest that crickets could play a significant role in combating protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, which remain pressing challenges in Kenya and beyond.

While cricket farming has been successfully implemented in warmer regions like Thailand and Western Kenya, efforts are underway to expand production to cooler, high-altitude areas. This expansion aims to increase overall cricket production and further explore the potential of this sustainable food source. This article delves into the findings of a pilot cricket farm established in a high-altitude region of Kenya, examining growth parameters, nutrient composition, and the feasibility of cricket farming in cooler climates.

The Experiment: A High-Altitude Cricket Farm

High-altitude cricket farm symbolizing sustainable food source.

To investigate the viability of cricket farming in cooler climates, a pilot farm was established at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), situated 1,519 meters above sea level. The farm experienced an average temperature of 19°C, ranging from 17-22°C. The study tracked four lifecycles of crickets throughout 2016, monitoring key parameters such as egg incubation duration, hatch rate, mortality, and weight gain.

The crickets were reared in concrete cages, with paper egg trays providing shelter. The researchers tested various agricultural side streams and farm weeds as potential cricket feed, assessing their acceptance and impact on cricket growth and nutrient content. Regular cleaning and monitoring ensured optimal conditions for cricket development.

  • Egg Incubation and Hatch Rate: Incubation times were shorter during warmer months (January-March) and longer during cooler months (July-September). Hatch rates followed a similar pattern, with higher rates in warmer months.
  • Feed Acceptance: Crickets readily accepted most agricultural side streams and farm weeds, particularly fresh, softer options like leaves and fruit peels. Maize cobs were less popular.
  • Mortality Rates: Mortality remained low (below 2%) across all cycles, significantly lower than rates reported in other regions. Cannibalism, predation, and mishandling were identified as the primary causes of mortality.
  • Weight Gain: Crickets exhibited steady weight gain over the 12-week growth period.
  • Nutrient Content: Protein content increased with age, reaching its peak around ten weeks. Fat content also increased initially but declined slightly after ten weeks.
The study revealed valuable insights into optimizing cricket farming practices in high-altitude regions. The findings suggest that cricket production can be successful in cooler climates, offering a promising avenue for expanding cricket farming and enhancing food security.

The Future of Cricket Farming

This research provides encouraging evidence for the feasibility of cricket farming in high-altitude, cooler environments. By utilizing readily available agricultural side streams and farm weeds, farmers can significantly reduce production costs while promoting sustainable waste management. Further research and investment in optimizing cricket farming practices in diverse climates could unlock the full potential of this sustainable and nutritious food source, contributing to food security and improved nutrition worldwide.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are the key nutritional benefits of consuming Acheta domesticus, or house crickets?

Acheta domesticus, the house cricket, is packed with nutritional benefits. It boasts high levels of protein, fat, iron, and zinc. This makes crickets a promising solution for combating protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, significant health challenges in many regions.

2

How did the pilot cricket farm at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) conduct its study, and what were the key findings?

The pilot farm, located at JKUAT, 1,519 meters above sea level, monitored four lifecycles of crickets. They tracked egg incubation, hatch rates, mortality, and weight gain. Crickets were reared in concrete cages and fed various agricultural side streams and farm weeds. Key findings showed shorter incubation times and higher hatch rates in warmer months. Mortality rates remained low. Crickets gained weight steadily, and the protein content in their bodies increased with age.

3

What is the significance of expanding cricket farming to high-altitude, cooler climates?

Expanding cricket farming to cooler, high-altitude climates like the one at JKUAT, is significant for several reasons. It broadens the areas suitable for cricket production, which can increase the overall supply and availability of this sustainable food source. This also supports the advancement of food security. The success of the JKUAT farm demonstrates the potential for widespread cricket farming even in areas not typically known for insect agriculture.

4

What types of feed were used in the JKUAT cricket farm, and how did the crickets respond?

The JKUAT farm tested agricultural side streams and farm weeds as cricket feed. The crickets readily accepted most of these options, particularly fresh, softer materials such as leaves and fruit peels. Maize cobs were less popular. The use of readily available resources like these can significantly reduce production costs for farmers.

5

What challenges did the JKUAT pilot farm face, and how did it overcome them?

The JKUAT pilot farm faced challenges typical of any farming operation, including monitoring and maintaining optimal conditions for cricket development. The researchers tackled this through regular cleaning and monitoring. While mortality rates were kept low, with cannibalism, predation, and mishandling identified as the primary causes. The study focused on optimizing the farming practices in a cooler climate, demonstrating the feasibility of successful cricket farming even in challenging conditions.

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