Man makes a fortune from cockroach farming

SourceBBC

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A Tanzanian cockroach farmer has told BBC Swahili how he has made a fortune from his business.

“People thought I was mad when I started farming cockroaches and now it earns me a good living,” said Lusius Kawogo.

And cockroaches seem to be taking the East African nation by storm.

Man makes a fortune from cockroach farming
Singer Saumu Hamisi, aka Ummy Dolly, recommends eating cockroaches with coconut oil

Last month, a story about popular Tanzanian singer and model Saumu Hamisi’s passion for nutritious cockroaches went viral.

Also known by her stage name Ummy Doll, she told BBC Swahili that the insects tasted like fish or white meat – and that she added coconut oil to roast, kebab or fry them.

Mr Kawogo says he now gets enquiries from customers outside Tanzania seeking to buy the cockroaches.

Man makes a fortune from cockroach farming
Lusius Kawogo was able to build a family home on the proceeds of his profits

But he said this type of farming was yet to be embraced by most Tanzanians.

“I wish we had several people interested in farming cockroaches as we would be able to supply in large quantities.”

An expert at Dar es Salaam’s Muhimbili National Hospital says cockroaches have a lot of nutritional value when farmed in the right way.

Man makes a fortune from cockroach farming
The cockroaches are bred in cardboard moulds

“Cockroaches are high in proteins, fat, vitamin B12 and zinc, which help with building immunity,” nutritionist Scolastica Mlinga told BBC Swahili.