KALIBARU – Insects that have been avoided by many residents, especially farmers, it has high economic value. Especially if this type of insect is rare and suitable for decoration. Which is tantalizing, the selling price of locusts can reach tens of millions of rupiah.
This opportunity was captured by married couple George Oktavianus and Ugi Utami Graduates, 30, RT residents 06/ RW 1, Kalibaru Kulon Village, Kalibaru District. Thousands of insects of various types, like a butterfly, grasshopper, beetle, and other types, he developed to be used as an export commodity.
According to Ugi Utami, all kinds of insects they grow, both the living and the dead, as souvenirs to meet foreign markets. Apart from Asia, Grasshopper demand has begun to penetrate the European market.
“Currently the main market is in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and has penetrated the European market, especially France," he said. If it's insect season, around February, July, until September, their export activities can be up to four times a month.
"If the season is crowded, we export once a week,Ugi added. He revealed, the insects they export are insects collected from all regions in Indonesia. However, of these various types, currently the mainstay and the most popular in Japan is an insect that is widely found in Banyuwangi called wawung or giant rhinoceros beetle or in Latin it is called Chalcosoma caucasus.
“This is the most popular in Japan," he said. Besides that, one type of insect that is widely found around the Kumitir forest in the form of a stick locust is also a mainstay of exports. The grasshopper with the Latin name Eurynema versirubra is quite large. The grasshopper is commonly called a stick grasshopper or twig grasshopper. The green color of the stick grasshopper is brighter than the grasshopper.
"This grasshopper is also here. Even bigger than Sulawesi," he said. Although this market is somewhat special, his party still opens the door wide if there are people who have this type of insect. As long as the insect is unique, he hopes that residents will bring it to its place.
“Just bring it here, we'll see," he said. Even if they are hunting, but the continuity of insects in nature is maintained because it only takes insects of a certain size. "Insects will never run out. We'll take the big one,” he said.
The existence of this business has received the attention of the Banyuwangi Regent. During a working visit and opening together yesterday, Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas took the time to stop by to see in person. (radar)
