Surinam: sustainable butterfly farming

Establishment of a butterfly exhibit and upgrading of butterfly breeding

 

• Project location: Wanica, Surinam
• Consortium: Vlindertuin de Berkenhof, Neotropical Insects NV
• Project budget: Euro 600,000
• External financing: 50% grant funding by PSOM
• Project period: January 2008 - December 2009

 

Abstract

Neotropical Insects N.V. from Lelydorp, Surinam, breeds butterflies and is one of only 30 such farms existing world wide. The farm reproduces some 20 indigenous butterfly species and exports their pupae to butterfly exhibits in North America and Europe. One of its customers is Vlindertuin de Berkenhof based in Kwadendamme, the Netherlands, which hosts one of Europe’s largest exhibits. Vlindertuin de Berkenhof entered into a partnership with Neotropical Insects with the intention of (1) increasing the import of butterflies from Surinam, (2) showing visitors a clear link to the origins of the butterflies in its exhibits in the Netherlands and (3) contributing to nature education in Surinam as part of its corporate social responsibility objectives. Neotropical Insects for its part is keen to raise profitability of its business by raising the efficiency of its breeding operations leading to increased exports of butterfly pupae and by diversifying its sources of income.

The partnership will invest in:

 

• Upgrading of the breeding facilities in order to (a) raise the exports from only 38% to at least 50% of the pupae production and (b) make the farm accessible for guided tours
• Establishment and promotion of a butterfly exhibit, including plant nursery, exposition and souvenir shop, as a new attraction for all types of visitors, from local families to international tourists
• Establishment of nature education facilities, including a unique panorama, instruction room and research accommodation, especially targeting the school children of Surinam.

 

Staff, currently 15 with a planned addition of another 14, will be trained in the growing and maintenance of plants, provision of guided tours, commercial and technical management of butterfly exhibits, and organisation of educational activities.

The project will contribute significantly to the long-term sustainability of Neotropical Insects. Visitors will get a solid dose of butterfly biology, emphasizing the interrelationships between plants and wildlife and the impacts of deforestation. Visitors will have more appreciation for the fascinating indigenous butterflies of Surinam; local school children will have more awareness of the natural environment they live in and thus be motivated to protect it. The project will also strengthen the image and presentation of Vlindertuin de Berkenhof to its visitors, who will appreciate the direct linkage to the origin of the butterflies and the efforts undertaken in Surinam to raise local environmental awareness.

The project will be a welcome diversification in the offering of tourist attractions in Surinam. The easily accessible exhibit will be of interest to young and old alike. Many tourists will want to include a visit to the butterfly exhibit and farm in their itinerary. Therefore, tour operators and transport companies (buses, taxis and car rental companies) will benefit from this project.

Upon completion of the PSOM project, further investments are foreseen in further development of the exhibit, set up of a restaurant, expansion of the breeding cages, diversification of the exported butterfly species, improvement of plant growing areas, development of walkways in the forested section of land owned by Neotropical Insects, breeding of other animals (turtles, snakes) and purchase of vehicles. Ten additional staff will be employed in the spin-off phase.