A ground-breaking collaboration between Khon Kaen Province, Khon Kaen University, and researchers from the Lao PDR has successfully integrated cricket farming into the GMS action plan. This move elevates the ‘protein of the future’ to an international stage, aiming to foster knowledge transfer and bolster sustainable food security. 

Khon Kaen, Thailand – At the 27th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok, Khon Kaen Province, in partnership with Khon Kaen University (KKU), successfully advocated for a pioneering cricket-farming initiative. During the Governors’ Forum, Mr. Yutthaporn Pirunsarn, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, presented “A Thai-Lao Partnership for Developing Sustainable Cricket Farming for Food Security,” a strategic framework designed to forge a significant collaboration between Thailand and the Lao PDR. 

The project aims to upgrade and develop the value chain of cricket farming—recognised as a high-potential “economic insect” and a rapidly growing alternative protein source. This achievement is the result of an integrated effort between Deputy Governor Yutthaporn Pirunsarn and Dr. Anuwat Srisawat, Deputy Director of KKU’s Research Institute of Strategy and Coordination for Northeastern Development.

With the primary objectives of strengthening the grassroots economy and enhancing regional food security, the project is strategically aligned with the GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF) 2030. It supports the framework’s goals of fostering inclusive, sustainable economic connectivity and ensuring food security by driving the green economy through the transfer of modern agricultural technology and innovation.

As crickets are a highly nutritious protein source, developing a comprehensive value chain—spanning upstream farming, midstream processing, and downstream marketing—will be a critical mechanism for boosting the competitiveness of Thai and Lao farmers. This initiative is poised to drive the regional bio-economy, focusing on standardised farm management, high-value processed products, and the expansion of market channels to global levels.

The project has now been officially incorporated into the GMS Regional Investment Framework 2026–2028: Investment Pipeline under the GMS Program. Dr. Anuwat Srisawat will serve as the project leader. This success solidifies the roles of Khon Kaen Province and Khon Kaen University as leaders in agricultural innovation and as key facilitators of sustainable economic cooperation in the region.