Do You Know Insect Farmers, the 'Meat of the Future'? [New Jobs]

Eco-friendly Meat, Insect Meat
Market Size 2.4 Trillion Won This Year
Growing Demand for Insect Experts

Editor's NoteWith super-aging and ultra-low birth rates, along with the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, new changes are occurring in the world of occupations. We introduce the world of new jobs that open paths for new challenges in working life or a second act in life.

It is an era where insects are gaining attention as alternative protein. Overseas, insect snacks and even insect hamburgers have already been developed. Most insect foods purchased by consumers are already completed sausages or patties, so there is no need to worry about their unpleasant appearance.

As insect foods push out livestock and take over our dining tables, the demand for insects is bound to surge even more. This is why the role of insect farmers will inevitably grow in the future.

Specialized Breeders Raising Pupae and Larvae

Edible insect mealworms available on the market. In Korea, they are sold under the name 'Gosoae.' [Image source=Baekmandori Farm website]

Insect farmers are professionals who raise edible insects and supply them to insect processing companies. According to the Rural Development Administration, there are currently 10 species of edible insects approved domestically, including rice grasshoppers, silkworm pupae, white-spotted flower chafer larvae, mealworms, and mostly larvae, pupae, or grasshopper types. These insects must be bred in large quantities within specialized breeding facilities.

Insects are more difficult to raise than expected. Environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air within the breeding facility must be finely controlled, and the intrusion of external plants and animals that could be natural enemies of the insects must be strictly prevented.

The most critical variable is disease. Like livestock, insects raised in large quantities in breeding facilities are vulnerable to infectious diseases. While vaccines for livestock such as cattle and pigs have been developed, there are no medicines yet for insects, which are just beginning to industrialize. Breeders must check the health status of insects daily while raising them.

Market Size of 2.4 Trillion Won This Year... "Need for Expert Training"

To raise healthy insects, appropriate soil, temperature, humidity, and environmental conditions must be maintained. Edible insects are bred in large-scale farming facilities. The photo shows the French startup 'Ynsect,' which established the world's largest insect factory.
[Image source=YTN YouTube]

Currently, edible insect farmers mostly obtain certificates issued by private institutions and then run their own breeding farms as self-employed businesses. Especially in Korea, since the edible insect industry is just starting, developing sales channels and promotion for selling insects is reported to be important.

However, the Rural Development Administration and local governments are paying attention to nurturing insect experts. The Seoul Agricultural Technology Center also announced on the 15th that it will operate a program to train 20 professionals related to insect resources.

According to Seoul City, the insect market is estimated to reach about 2.4 trillion won this year, and the demand for related personnel is expected to surge. Sangtae Jo, director of the Seoul Agricultural Technology Center, emphasized, "Through expert training, we will contribute to revitalizing the insect industry, which is attracting attention as a future new industry growth."

Humans Who Cannot Give Up Meat Must Eat Insects to Protect the Environment

When slaughtering 200 kg of beef, 24 kg of carbon dioxide is emitted, but the same amount of insect meat produces only 0.7 kg of carbon dioxide.
[Image source=Pixabay]

What are the strengths of the insect industry compared to the already highly industrialized general livestock industry? The biggest advantage of insects as 'alternative meat' is the environment. Among greenhouse gases, which are considered the main cause of global warming, 10% are methane emitted by livestock and from manure processing. Some even argue that to prevent climate change, a complete shift away from meat-centered diets is necessary.

However, insects do not emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases like cattle. Moreover, insect meat is mostly composed of protein, making it ideal for extracting nutrients. According to a 2019 World Economic Forum (WEF) report, producing 200 kg of beef generates 24 kg of carbon dioxide, but producing the same amount of edible insect meat emits only 0.7 kg of carbon dioxide.

If humans cannot be made to give up meat, substituting it with insect meat is the future that protects the environment.