Set just off a freeway in China's Shandong Province, the
farm's location isn’t exactly appealing, but then again, neither is what's
inside: cockroaches -- tens of millions of them.
Wang Fuming is part entomologist, part farmer and chief
admirer.
"I've been interested in insects since I was 8 years
old," he told International News.
Sixteen years ago, he started farming these critters commercially.
Yes, there is a market.
"Business is very good," he said. "Many
pharmaceutical factories make products with them."
Almost all of his roaches are used in traditional Chinese
medicine. He claims they can cure what ails you, from the heart to the liver to
the lungs.
Ground cockroach has been used to treat wounds and even as
an ingredient in toothpaste.
Wang took reporters to see where the roaches are raised. His
relaxed demeanor did not rub off.
They feed the roaches wheat shavings and vegetables for four
months. Then they're boiled, dried and some are crushed to put into pill form,
which is much easier to stomach.
Wang says he makes $160,000 a year from the bugs.
On special occasions, Wang says, they can even be part of
dinner. He fried some so that we could see and insisted that peanut oil imparts
the most flavor. We took his word for it.
Source: Cbs news
No comments:
Post a Comment