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)