Xin Dezhan, a farmer from Xinjiazhuang Village in Wudi County,
east China's Shandong
Province, earned more than 5,000 yuan (US$600) in net income
from raising locusts in July alone.
The creepy creatures are transported live from Xin's farm to
cities in northeastern China, where fried locusts are considered
highly nutritious delicacies.
Xin, in his 50s, built nine net bughouses in April, each about
40 meters square, to raise his locusts. The initial investment
totaled less than 4,000 yuan (US$483). The first group of locust
larvae matured in less than two months.
"I sell my locusts at 16 yuan (US$1.90) per kilogram, and the
[retail] price can rise to more than 100 yuan (US$12) when my buyer
delivers to cities in the northeast," said Xin. "Even if my locusts
sell at a low price, the profits are much higher than from grain
planting, with less input and quick returns."
Du Qifa, a locust man in nearby Guoyi Village, says that the
insects are very hardy and easy to raise. They can be bred twice a
year.
The wholesalers that buy locusts from the farmers and sell them
to restaurants and other retailers get the lion's share of the
money. But many farmers find raising locusts attractive because the
money and labor costs are low, turnover rapid and profit margins
wide.
The locusts are contained in the net enclosures, where they eat
fresh grass, corn or black wheat and drink a great deal of water.
Live adult bugs are transported in nets and refrigerated before
being sold to restaurants.
The East Asia migratory locust, the species raised by the
Shandong farmers, may grow to be 6 to 7 centimeters in length and 2
to 3 centimeters across. It is rich in 18 amino acids, clean and
delicious, researchers say.
Fried locust is a popular dish in Harbin, Tianjin and parts of
Hebei Province, as well as in many Southeast Asian countries.
Since the late 1990s it has become increasingly difficult for
grain producers in China to increase their incomes through farming.
In recent years, avian influenza has been a potentially devastating
threat to poultry farmers. Locust husbandry presents a very viable
and profitable alternative.
However, experts also point out that more government support is
needed to help locust growers to expand the scale of their
operations and ensure product quality. For example, Xin said he
needs more land to grow grass or grain to feed more locusts. Also,
because his bugs failed to meet required standards, he lost a sale
to a Mexican purchaser in June.
To date, more than 50 families are raising locusts in Wudi
County. Xin, looking to stay ahead of the competition, is
diversifying his product lineup: now he is also learning how to
raise flies, which he plans to start next year. He says that flies
-- an especially nutritious chick food -- are even more profitable
than locusts.
(China Daily October 25, 2004)
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