Bamboo caterpillar rearing technology transfer
Akha villagers started to share their experiences among other hill tribe people in Doi Mae Salong and Doi
Tung. Two Akha trainees were further training their ethnic groups in their own language in Doi Tung and Doi Mae
Salong
Harvesting techniques of bamboo caterpillars
Twenty five percents of trainees were harvested bamboo caterpillars from their bamboo forests. They sold
bamboo caterpillars at 350 baht kg in the local markets. Monthly 2,000 kg of bamboo caterpillars are demanded,
which cannot be fulfilled by Doi Tung villagers.
Income generation
Sixty percentages of villagers had income more than 5,000 bahts, 37% had around 10,000 bahts and 3% had
more than 50,000 bahts per year by selling bamboo caterpillars (Figure 6). Therefore, bamboo caterpillars are a key
species in poverty alleviation in northern parts of Thailand.
Figure 6.
Income generation by selling bamboo worms
Commercialization of bamboo caterpillars
Around 17 villagers in Doi Tung have already started to rear bamboo
caterpillars
in 900 Rai in Doi Tung, Mae
Fah Luang, Chiang Rai since 2552.
Documentary films
Thai Channel 5, 7 and 9 had documented biology and harvesting method of bamboo caterpillars to
awareness of edible insect role in poverty alleviation and conservation of bamboo forests.
