According to the United Nations some 40 per cent of children under the age of five are severely undernourished in Laos, because of a lack of protein in their diets.
But food charities are hoping that a move towards insect farming in the country could help overcome the problem.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, which is supporting efforts in Laos, says bugs contain a high protein and vitamin content.
Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports from Vientiane.
