Feasibility and optimisation study for modular cricket farming and harvesting system.

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Oko Protein LTD, the University of Nottingham school of Biosciences, and the non-profit Food & Drink Forum are teaming up to make the UK a world-leader in the emerging multi-billion pound edible insect industry.The Oko Box is a unique modular intensive farming system developed by Oko Protein LTD to affordably and sustainably farm crickets for human consumption. Importantly it eliminates most labour costs by exploiting the behaviour of the crickets, with their movement being utilised to generate heat, thereby cutting energy costs.Four successive prototypes have been hand-built and tested, proving the fundamental innovations of the system. The Oko Box compared to traditional methods :* 5-6x reduction in output costs* 4x reduction in capital outlay* 50x reduction in setup time* Requires no indoor facility* Requires less energy and has a lower carbon footprint* Is the only system not to require deconstruction of habitat during harvest* Requires no dehumidification* Is a net producer of heat over a harvest cycle (other systems require heating)* Is easy to use* Can be used by individual farmers (doesn't require huge investment)The project aims to confirm the feasibility of the Oko Box on a commercial level. A showcase farm of 14 Oko Boxes will be set up in an outdoor location to test and optimise various factors including:* temperature* airflow* feed ingredients and blend* feed amount* population size* harvest age* number of boxes manageable by one farmer* habitat spacingCircular and sustainable options for feed will be explored and tested. Inputs such as labour, energy, feed and water requirements will be monitored, as well as subsequent yield and nutritional value of the crickets.Since the Oko Box produces heat, we will also explore its feasibility as a supplementary heat source for greenhouses.By the end of the project we aim to demonstrate the ability of the Oko Box to produce protein at prices that are comparable to, or better than, existing forms such as soya, meat and milk. We will also produce instructions and training materials for farmers allowing them to diversify and utilise the Oko Box in a way that produces maximum yield at minimal cost.