In recent years, people around the world have spent nearly $40 billion annually on pesticides. And there may be no other insect that bothers the average person more than the cockroach.
But a few Chinese farmers have taken a radically different approach: cultivating millions of cockroaches as part of a profitable business venture. As the Los Angeles Times reports, there are about 100 farms in China, raising more than 10 million cockroaches.
Because the unusual industry is largely unregulated, most cockroach farmers operate somewhat under the radar. They say the Chinese government is aware of their existence and is allowing them to operate freely as long as they don’t become high profile. In other words, they don’t want millions of cockroaches to suddenly flee from local farm, as actually happened in what spectators called “The Great Escape” in August.
Why would someone want to farm cockroaches, an insect that is considered an insufferable pest in most corners of the world?
As it turns out, there’s much more demand for the little critters than some would like to admit. For example, cosmetic companies reportedly use them as a source of protein and for a “cellulose-like substance” on their wings, according to the Times.
And in May, the United Nations itself encouraged more people to consume insects for food, saying they are an inexpensive source of protein and could be a viable solution to world hunger.
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