Village in Shandong experiences cicada breeding boom

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Weizhuang village in Pingyuan county, Dezhou, has tapped into the potential of cicada farming, leveraging its sandy soil to cultivate this unique agricultural product. This initiative has emerged as a promising new industry, driving rural prosperity.

The Pingyuan Mingrun Golden Cicada Farming Base covers an area of 70 mu (4.66 hectares) and has been in operation for eight years. With a relatively short two-year growth cycle and minimal management requirements, cicada farming offers a substantial return on investment. The initial investment for each mu of land is around 2,000 yuan ($280), while the potential earnings are as much as 10,000 yuan.

Cicadas are highly sought after for their unique flavor and nutritional value. As demand for the bugs continues to grow, wild populations have been unable to keep up, and the farming of cicadas has become a lucrative business.

Cai Lianlong, general manager of the base, shared, "Our base has been operating for about eight years now. Many villagers from surrounding areas have come to learn and observe. I want to promote cicada farming on a larger scale to help more villagers achieve prosperity."

Li Guangping,  a cicada buyer, stated that sourcing materials for artificially farmed cicadas at this base offers several advantages. The base boasts a large-scale farming operation, providing opportunities for on-site visits to learn about farming techniques.

By harnessing the natural advantages of its sandy soil and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, Weizhuang village has successfully developed a profitable and environmentally-friendly industry that benefits both local farmers and consumers. (Edited by Yang Yingxue)