Snake farming and economic value
China is considered the center of the large-scale snake industry, meeting the growing demand for meat, skin and venom. Snake meat is a unique dish, popular in many high-end restaurants, while snake skin and venom bring great economic and medical value.
#### 1. **Snake meat in cuisine**
– **Nutritional value**: Snake meat is rich in protein, low in fat, and is highly valued for its health benefits.
– **Culinary culture**: In Guangzhou and many other provinces in China, snake meat is not only a dish but also considered a symbol of luxury. Each year, this country consumes more than 10,000 tons of live snakes.
– **Raising method**: Snake farms design cages with suitable temperature and humidity for snakes to develop naturally. Young snakes are often fed small live bait to stimulate growth.
#### 2. **Snakeskin in fashion**
– **Luxury products**: Snakeskin, especially python skin, is used in luxury products such as handbags, watch straps, shoes and accessories. Each piece of skin can sell for up to $8,000.
– **Industry**: High demand from international fashion brands has turned snakeskin into a high-value economic commodity, promoting growth and creating jobs for rural communities.
#### 3. **Venom – “Liquid Gold” in medicine**
– **Medical uses**: Snake venom has the ability to prevent blood clotting, dissolve blood clots and support cancer treatment. This is an important ingredient in the production of many medicines.
– **Extraction process**: Venom is harvested from snakes every 15 days, but only a small amount is taken so as not to affect the snake’s health. Improved living conditions, such as ventilation and heating, have extended the lifespan of farmed snakes from 15 days to 2 months.
#### 4. **Social and economic impacts**
– **Benefits to farmers**: The snake farming industry provides a stable source of income for thousands of rural families. It also creates jobs in areas with limited economic opportunities.
**Exports**: In addition to the domestic market, China exports snake meat and skin to many countries, contributing significantly to the national GDP.
### Snake consumption culture in Australia
In contrast to China, Australia prohibits the consumption of snake meat for cultural and legal reasons.
**Biodiversity**: Australia has more than 170 species of snakes, including extremely venomous ones such as the mainland Taipan, but most of them are not farmed for food. – **Cultural Perspective**: Snakes in Australia are respected as part of the ecosystem, acting as a pest and rodent control measure.
– **Strict Laws**: Eating snake meat is considered culturally unacceptable and is not a part of Australian cuisine.
**Anti-venom serum production**: The New South Wales government invested $300,000 in the development of an anti-venom serum. This process involves injecting snake venom into horses to create antibodies, which are then collected and purified into serum. The horses are well cared for and experience little stress during this process.
**Deer farming**: Deer are farmed globally for meat, antlers, and ecotourism. New Zealand leads the industry with around 1.2 million deer. Antlers are carefully harvested to ensure safety and quality.
**Wool production**: Wool is harvested through two methods: shorn or combed. The wool is then cleaned and processed into high-quality products. The global wool industry is facing challenges such as rising feed costs and competition from alternative products. **Meat processing**: Modern meat processing plants (beef, pork, buffalo, camel) use automation technology to ensure food safety and optimize quality. Products such as camel meat are nutritious, low in cholesterol, and suitable for human health.
**Economic and cultural significance**: Industries such as deer, sheep farming, or meat processing not only provide food but also contribute to the economy, create jobs, and maintain ecological balance.
Modern technology is revolutionizing many industries, especially the food sector. Camels have become an important food source thanks to their ability to adapt to harsh environments. Robotic arms and automated lines such as Multivac help increase productivity and food packaging quality.
The Green Sort Vision fruit sorter uses advanced camera technology to ensure high quality, while the Korean fried chicken factory impresses with its distinctive flavors and standardized production processes.
Robotic systems in bakery and roast meat production such as Baker Bot or TLM Lines help reduce boring work for workers. Machines such as the Overx MT8 wash tens of thousands of eggs per hour, while the TVI GMS 1600 FPS integrates flexible sorting and packaging.
Other featured products include candy cutters, green vegetable packaging machines, and large-capacity potato processing lines, bringing optimal efficiency and quality to the food industry.
Modern technology is transforming the processing industry, from pheasant farming to white ducks. Pheasants, a rare bird in Vietnam, have high economic value but are declining due to hunting and deforestation. Modern processing facilities ensure a low-stress environment, fast and humane processing. Laser meat cutting technology reduces waste and makes full use of parts such as meat, feathers, and bones.
For white ducks, this breed is favored for its fast growth rate, good disease resistance, and high meat yield of 65-70%. The processing process uses automatic machinery from slaughtering, fire-cleaning, to organ classification. The factory can supply 50 tons of clean duck meat per day, contributing to ensuring a stable and efficient supply for the food market.
