On August 16, 2026, Singapore media Lianhe Zaobao reported that a venomous snake escape incident caused by heavy rains in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region revealed the region's massive snake farming industry and its complex risks.

The article reported that in July this year, when floods caused by heavy rain occurred in Hengzhou City within the autonomous region, a snake farm was destroyed, leading to an accident where approximately 900 snakes, including venomous ones, escaped, resulting in 1 resident's death and multiple injuries.

Furthermore, it introduced that the autonomous region is China's largest snake farming base, producing over 30 million snakes annually, with a market size reaching tens of billions of yuan. As reasons for relying on dangerous snake farming, it cited a lack of employment opportunities in rural areas where agricultural income alone is insufficient, and high profitability at low cost.

According to a farmer, raising 1,000 snakes can generate an income of 100,000 to 150,000 yuan (approximately 2.4 million to 3.6 million yen), and it is easy to enter the industry by utilizing vacant houses in villages. There was also a success story of earning 30 million yuan (approximately 720 million yen) in three years through breed improvement.

The article reported that experts point out that the farming of such special animals and plants plays a crucial role in increasing farmers' incomes and supporting the local economy, and that local governments have also promoted it as part of poverty alleviation and regional revitalization measures.

On the other hand, it also mentioned that the snake farming industry faces not only the daily risk of snake bites but also physical risks such as equipment destruction due to natural disasters and the mass escape of snakes. According to industry sources, one of the factors that caused this escape incident was the snake farmers prioritizing cost reduction and neglecting to install escape prevention facilities like double nets and wire mesh or to implement countermeasures.

Furthermore, it also touched upon economic risks due to policy changes and market structure, explaining that the implementation of the "Wild Animal Consumption Ban" in 2020 eliminated the market for consumption, forcing a shift to medicinal and health food uses, which halved profits, and that there is also a risk of price collapse due to oversupply.

The article conveyed the views of experts, stating that a complete ban on the industry is not necessary, but rather a balance between ensuring safety and maintaining livelihoods is required. It reported that building appropriate governance through measures such as strengthening safety standards, formulating emergency response manuals, and introducing agricultural insurance systems to prepare for natural disasters is a future challenge. (Edited/Translated by Kawajiri)