Crystabel Ukwuegbu
Rosemary Nenini witnessed the devastating effects of prolonged drought from 2020 to 2022 as her husband’s cattle succumbed to harsh conditions. Coming from a long line of pastoralists, she has always cherished cattle. “I grew up in a pastoralist household where my father had a large herd of cattle, and I later married into a family with the same way of life*. I have a deep love for livestock,” she shares.
However, persistent drought, shrinking grazing lands due to urban expansion and private ownership, along with disease outbreaks and livestock theft, forced Nenini to seek alternative ways to sustain her family. “During drought, many of our animals die, and even when the rains come, they are vulnerable to diseases. Bandits also pose a significant threat by stealing them,” she explains.
Kenya’s National Drought Management Authority reports that between 2021 and 2023, 2.6 million livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep, and camels, perished across the country’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region. Facing these challenges, many women in pastoral communities have turned to cricket farming as an alternative source of income.
Initially, the Maasai community was skeptical about the idea.”When cricket farming was first introduced to us, we were surprised. “We couldn’t understand how crickets could be beneficial. Many of us resisted the idea at first,” recalls Tonou Masaine, a 66-year-old cricket farmer.
Traditionally, many pastoralists believed that crickets were harmful to their livestock. “We assumed crickets brought misfortune and could harm our cattle. Any time we saw them near our homes, we would kill them. But after receiving training, we learned their value and educated others that crickets are not dangerous,” explains Jennifer Sintaloi, another cricket farmer.
With support from organizations such as Cordaid, the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT), and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), women in these communities have now embraced cricket farming. They have learned to capture crickets by placing wet towels outside their homes at night or searching under rocks. “After undergoing training, we realized the benefits and saw the potential for the future,” says Masaine. So far, 34 groups have received training and assistance in setting up cricket farms, including the provision of rearing kits.
Crickets are highly nutritious, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a valuable food source. Additionally, they can be used in producing animal feed. Compared to cattle, crickets require minimal land and water, making them a more sustainable option. “Unlike livestock, which need large areas for grazing and substantial water supplies, cricket farming requires little space and minimal water. All that’s needed is a shelter and proper feed,” Nenini explains.
Crickets are typically fed on vegetables, maize flour, and chicken feed, while their water comes from cotton wool soaked in water, which also serves as a site for laying eggs. “Drought is a major challenge in Kenya, particularly for pastoralist communities reliant on livestock. Cricket farming provides an essential safety net during tough times,” says Shaphan Chia, a research scientist at ICIPE.
Despite its benefits, cricket farming still faces obstacles, particularly cultural resistance, as many people remain reluctant to consume insects. There is also limited awareness of the nutritional and environmental advantages of cricket-based products. However, with continued education and support, cricket farming has the potential to offer a sustainable livelihood for communities affected by climate change and declining livestock numbers.
