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technology tools in agriculture to increase productivity. On top of these, CPSA provides consultations
for business developments and project designs for its donors as well as partners.
The government remains as the top key player responsible for the development of Cambodia
because they are the one who play a very effective role in facilitating all relevant parties together.
Without support and approval from the government, any project cannot be implemented on the
ground. Therefore, to CPSA, the government is the main actor as they can link CPSA to other key
strategic partners in the field of Agriculture. Plus, CPSA would be able to broaden its scope of work to
a wider level if there were unwavering support from the government and its partners.
4.3. Model of Cricket Farming using Solar Energy in Cambodia
4.3.1. General information
Agri House Co., LTD began their operation in 2019 as a Khmer women-led registered company,
specializing in using innovative tech and solar-powered cricket farming to increase the yield. They are
a wholesaler of cricket powder, premium cricket snacks and Cricket Incubator smart kits for farmers.
The initial concept was drafted by Lundy Chou, the CEO and co-founder, and Ian Jones, the business
advisor and co-founder.
By creating a climate-resilient solution, Agri House is able to use it as a purposeful design that
promotes inclusivity, sustainable and nutritional food source for future generations. The Smart Kit
innovation offers a passive income activity that taps into the local markets. It allows farmers to double
their yield as well. It was created to solve problems—that marginalized communities were being
left behind, especially people with disabilities, who have more difficulties finding a steady stream of
income. Agri House also offers a buy-back scheme—meaning if there are any leftover crickets from
their customers, they would be able to sell them back, however, no one has opted for this option yet.
In 2021 alone, the market scale of Agri House was able to expand to five provinces (Phnom Penh,
Takeo, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham and Sihanoukville), with local cricket sales totaling 1,405
kilograms per day. This equates to 512 tonnes per year in these five provinces alone. Report indicates
that farmers who have access to finance quickly move from having 2 cricket raising pens to 10 pens.
4.3.2. Model development
This innovation serves as a beneficial tool to Cambodian agriculture as it provides a viable income for
small holder farmers and marginalized communities. The model itself is a micro-circular economy,
the cricket produces frass (waste) that can be used to grow the green inputs that supplement feedstock
and reduce the costs of raising. This system was first tested in Kandal on an urban farmer, who was
displaced from Boeung Kok. It was also tested in Siem Reap and Kompong Thom. The international
non-governmental organization (INGO) prefers this because Agri House offers them 3–4 months
of support through consulting, technical support, introducing them to other suppliers, connecting
them to the market and following up with them at least twice a week. In addition, the signed contract
includes the buyback scheme so it builds a sense of security toward the farmers, who can sell it back to
the company.
Agri House Co., LTD is now focusing on connecting Cambodian farmers to the national and
international market. Their in-house engineer, Kun Kimlong, developed all of their chip programming.
They use solar power to regulate the cricket raising environment in the smart six pen. The regulation
occurs via a programmed Arduino chip that regulates a prime raising—the humidity, the temp, the
airflow and the water. Agri House aims for 70% humidity and 28 degrees Celsius. Alteration was
adapted according to each family, with some of the pens being cut into half and renovated in order to
fit smaller spaces. They are currently using commercial feedstock and local green inputs. However, they
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