Enlightened Chinese farmer branches out by growing pears shaped like baby Buddha
4th September 2009[/align]
For Britain's struggling fruit farmers, things could be about to go even more pear-shaped... A Chinese farmer has invented baby-shaped pears - and he is planning to export his novel idea over here. Plucky farmer Gao Xianzhang has created 10,000 of the mini marvels this season and he plans to take the fruits of his labour to the UK and Europe.
If the idea catches on, sales of the mini pears could hit the profits of British farmers who are already struggling to fend off sales of cheaper foreign produce in recession-hit Britain. Gao spent six years perfecting the intricate baby-shaped pears, carefully crafting each one which grows inside an individual mould.
Despite their hefty cost of £5 each, locals in his home village of Hexia, in Hebia, northern China, have reportedly been snapping them up. 'People seem to think they are cute or lucky and will buy them as soon as they're off the tree,' Gao explained.
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I like this idea - the fruit-based caricature possibilities are endless!
