SNAIL FARMING:
A snail is an animal (a mollusk) with a single shell (spiral), into which the entire body can be withdrawn, according to dictionary.com. Snails are often very nutritious creatures with a high level of consumer demand.
They frequently procreate quickly and demand little financial investment from growers.
Although there are numerous kinds, three distinct types are most frequently seen on Nigerian farms:
Achatina Fulica (AF), Archachatina Marginata (AM), and Achatina Achatina (AA)
Important Information Regarding Snail Farming
– The largest snail species in Nigeria is called Achatina Achatina (AA). – Snails have high nutritional value and are good sources of protein. – The average snail can live for up to 20 years. – Snails are hermaphrodites, which means they have both a male and a female reproductive system. – Snails can crawl upside down thanks to the suction their slime creates. – Snails are mostly active at night.
Several benefits of snail farming
– Snail farms are simple to operate and oversee.
Snail farming can be started and maintained on a budget; it doesn’t require a lot of capital; snails are a good source of protein; it doesn’t require a lot of labor; it can be combined with other types of farming; snails are essentially harmless; they have a low mortality rate; and it takes up little space or land.
Benefits of Snail Farming
Snail meat is rich in calcium, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, and contains very little fat. Snails are also highly productive. Lastly, snails are highly medicinal and have positive traditional healing effects.
Negative aspects of snail farming
– Growth: Inasmuch as we stated above that snails have a fast growth rate, in a fully matured snail, relatively only about a 40% of the whole snail gets eaten.
– Climatic issues: Except artificial means of climatic control is adapted, snail farming is limited to the humid tropical forest zone which offers a preferable temperature (constant), fairly constant day/night rhythm, high relative humidity and (preferably) no dry season.
– Snails pose as pest in farms: Snails that escape from their farms or are abandoned by their farmers have a high risk of eating up the leaves of crops planted in the farms.
How To Start A Snail Farm At Home In Nigeria
We’ll guide you through the steps involved in starting and running a snail farm in Nigeria including the equipment involved.
Tools and Equipment Used For Snail Farming
– Watering cans
– Feeders
– Shovel
– Tank for water
– Buckets
– Hand trowel
– Pipe or hose
– Weighing scale (digital preferably)
Processes Involved In Starting And Running A Snail Farm
– Education
You can pick up tutorials and courses that will help you learn the basics of starting and running a snail farm. When you advance more into the business, you’ll gain more experience about it.
Do you know that snail shells can be used for making Vim? Well now you know, why not try it?
– The Soil Type and Texture
– Snails’ Food and Feeding
– How To Market Your Snails In Nigeria
– The Physical Environment
Other things you should know about setting up a site for snail farming include:
How To Select The Best Type Of Site For Snail Farming
– Snails Dislike Wind
– Snails Prefer Average temperature And Humidity
– Location of farm
Soils With Lots Of Moisture Are Favored by Snails
Farmers should stay away from flood-prone areas since snails enjoy moist soil. The soil is kept sufficiently moist by rain and dew for snails to roam about freely and lay their eggs. In conclusion,loamy soils are best for developing snails because they allow air and water to freely permeate the soil.
