Promotion of Local Wisdom in Grasshopper Farming to Strengthen the Grassroots Economy of Ban Khwa Yai Community Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This research consists purposes were 1. to preserve and compile local wisdom related to grasshopper farming 2. to develop community capacity in standardized grasshopper farming practices 3. to promote product processing to enhance product value and 4. to develop marketing channels and increase household income. A mixed-methods research design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was employed. The research instruments included questionnaires, interview forms and activity evaluation forms. The target group consisted of 70 residents from Ban Khwa Yai community Khwa Yai Sub-district Kantharawichai District Maha Sarakham Province selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean and standard deviation Qualitative data obtained from interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that 1) the community possessed local wisdom in grasshopper farming in five key areas, namely species selection, farm construction, feed management, life cycle control and hygiene management 2) community capacity in standardized grasshopper farming significantly improved after training, with the overall mean score increasing from a moderate level (x̄ = 2.75, S.D. = 0.02) to a high level (x̄ = 4.29, S.D. = 0.61) 3) the community developed two types of processed products, namely seasoned fried grasshoppers and vacuum-packed dried grasshoppers, along with improved packaging and labeling and 4) the average household income increased by 11%, with expanded product offerings and marketing channels, including both local and online distribution.