SNAIL FARMING IN NIGERIA & SECRETS OF MAKING YOU INDEPENDENT
SNAIL FARMING IN NIGERIA
If you are into agriculture business in Nigeria you will understand and agree with me that every agricultural product could be a source of wealth, be it crops, animal husbandry or by products and even snail farming business in Nigeria. And this has made agriculture to survive no matter what its facing in the current melt down.
Today I will want to discuss about snail farming with you.
And after you may have done reading this post on snail business , you may contact me on any information you may feel like to know, also visit potential snail farms around you to see how its done as well.
I can allow you to visit my farm to learn, practically on snail farm, I will also give you phone number, should you need help. In fact, you can use our experienced snail farmers to help you set-up your own snail business in Nigeria, professionally.
INTRODUCTION TO SNAIL FARMING IN NIGERIA
Snail rearing is a business opportunity which is sometimes overlooked because most people feel it can never be a source of income or wealth. But the truth is if you can give in the sacrifice it requires, you will definitely see that I have shown you how truly you can make more money even at your backyard. Aside that, some people also felt and have the conception that snail farming can never be regard as a business because people can easily pick up snail in the farms after rainfalls for consumption without setting them up as a business. And yes its true but to what extent are you reserving their existence, they deserve life and thats why we have to take charge to make it a source of livelihood. Thats the reason why animal husbandry like poultry farming, piggery and fishery are more popular, and the approach people today have given the snail farming has made them a subtenant means of living in Africa. The bitter truth you need to know is that the opportunities in snail rearing by far outweigh its challenges or problems.
SNAILS REQUIREMENT IN DETAILS
Snail farming in Nigeria requires capital and not a smaller one but a reasonable one as the building of the pen can vary from one form to another and the working capital may be low, compare to other animal husbandry like poultry, fishery, cattle rearing, goat farming, etc. This is so because snails feeds are very native, national or local. However, snail farming business in Nigeria is a type or kind of agricultural ventures that if one ventures in it diligently and patiently, he/she would not have any cause to regret.
The basic truth is that snails are in high demand and its as well very much demanded in the international market which is as a result of its high level of protein and less cholesterol. So if you think your market is not on demanding scale as you expect, you can as well take your level to the exportation one where it is high n demand, if you visit malls in UK or the USA, there are there in good packaging and are on their demanding list, so why are you not gonna be involved in the snail rearing.
Snail business is not thriving in Nigeria as it is in Australia, Ghana, South Africa and the UK, yes , its on high grounds of commercialization there and thats not to leave Nigeria behind to not make it a boom, as am putting it down that Nigeria is really in a great deal lagging and lacking behind in the production of snails ,so am imploring you my dear reader to take the risk in rearing of snails even in your very backyard.
One thing you should know about snail farming (Heliciculture) which is the process of raising land snails specifically for human consumption or use is that, snail rearing is as simple as ABC. The discovery of the Achatina Achatina, which is also referred to as giant Ghana snail or giant tiger land snail is very high prolific specie of snail which has the potential can lay up to 1,000,000 eggs or more in its life span which is very more in a considerate manner to grab the opportunity in the rearing of snails, let me bring a joke here, if you can raise the Archatina like 100 breeds and it lays up to 200 eggs , do the mathematics of raising them for 6 months , and selling one for N100, we have the breakdown of 100 X 200 X 100 = 2,000,000 in a year, well we shall discuss that in this chapter the chances and the risk in raising them. With the evaluation above now, I am sure you will agree with me now, that snail farming business in Nigeria could be indeed a profitable business.
After I have spent over three years in the business world, I discovered 7 Secrets which school did not teach you about how to be rich, but will be very more cautious to reveal them to you .
SNAIL FARMING IN NIGERIA & THE BY-PRODUCTS OF SNAILS
Snails are very sluggish in movement and due to this attribute it has traditionally been a symbol of laziness. Snails are usually found in the forest or bush areas and are very active at night and you will be amazed to see snails eat like they never do, very very active creatures and as well they are regarded as pest to farm crops , so whats it you need to know of their bye products.
SNAIL SHELL
This is the outer and harder part of the snail which the snail uses as protection from their predator or from danger. Most times or sometimes, snail shell can be used for traditional medicine, ornament or beads, decorations, cowries or for local tools. Its been in the system for donkey years and many have made more money in the both exportation and sales locally of the shell of snails.
SNAIL EGGS OR SNAIL CAVIAR
These are the reproduced part of the snail (snail eggs) which will gradually transfer into adult snail. What am about to tell you looks ridiculous but its the truth as Most people eat snail eggs or snail caviar; it is sometimes put into soups or been prepared for the sole aim of consumption, but for business purpose, it is advisable to preserve your snail eggs for reproduction so as to have a great deal of breeds in the future.
The eggs are as well medicinal which controls the level of cholesterol in the body and reduce the risk of catching a stroke, as researchers said. Not medically proven but its medicinal.
SNAIL SLIME.
This is a kind of mucus, an external bodily secretion which is produced by snails, gastropod mollusks thats looks sticky and semen like color. It is jelly in nature. Apart from the part of snail which is been consumed as food, another important part of the snail is the snail slime. Snail slime contains 91-98% water. The slime is filtered multiple times to increase its concentration and ensure its purity.
The Snail slime could be used for various purposes which are as follows :
For traditional medication; long ago, snail slime was traditionally used medicinally from ancient Greece to the middle Ages internally against gastrointestinal ulcers, and in the form of syrup, to soothe a cough. Though now, some people believe in it healing capability and still also use it. You will not also believe that our medical folks in the field are as well using them as therapy in drug creations.
Use in the treatment of burns; In Cameroon, snail slime has also been used by the Bamiléké people of Cameroon to treat burns. This practice is also seen in the era of the twentieth century which has a miraculous way of healing injuries caused from burns.
Use for cosmetics; if you do not know, now you know It now that snail slime is used for cosmetics and it has numerous benefits. Know that most of these cosmetics snail slime are usually extracted from a snail variety known as Cornu Aspersum (previously Helix Aspersa). Snail slime is filled with nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein, proteoglycans, antimicrobial and copper peptides, which are commonly used in beauty products and proven to be beneficial for the skin. Though, these properties help to protect the snails skin from damage, infection, dryness and UV rays and likewise beneficially to human skin.
For serums, facial masks, moisturizers and fading creams-; Snail secretion filtrate is widely used in Korean for beauty products. And these secretions have a neutral look, smell and texture. Snail mucin can be used to treat dry skin, wrinkles and stretch marks, acne and rosacea, age spots, burns, scars, razor bumps and even flat warts.It can also be used for anti-aging properties that it aids to kindle the development of collagen and elastin. It protects skin from free radicals, soothe skin, repair damaged tissues and restore hydration.
Having discussed the by-products and the usefulness of snails, lets quickly look at the health benefits of snail
SNAIL FARMING & HEALTH BENEFITS OF SNAIL
These are the nutrients and vitamins that are been provided by snail for body regulations.
Snail contains choline (an important water-soluble vitamin). This choline is known to be required in building and maintaining healthy cell membranes, protecting the liver from fat accumulation, help transport triglycerides from the liver, has the ability to break down fat so it is useful to prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and also essential for the fetus and infants to help the growth of the brain, therefore, the baby should drink breast milk that rich in choline.
Snail contains high levels of magnesium; which is needed for more than 325 enzymatic reactions, together with been involved in the synthesis of fats, proteins and nucleic acids, neural activity, muscle contraction and relaxation, cardiac activity and bone metabolism.
Snail is high in selenium which are important minerals and nutrients that fights diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It is also powerful antioxidants that help to prevent the aging and hardening of tissues through oxidation. Selenium minerals can be found in every cell of the body, which is mainly in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes.
Snail contains Omega-3 fatty acids which is very useful for preventing diseases related to the heart because omega 3 can make arterial organ becomes more elastic than that, omega 3 can reduce the risk of high blood pressure. This Omega 3 is also good for improving eye health in general. In 100 grams of snails also contained 100 UI Vitamin A that is good for the eyes. And also assist in the development of the brain and memory of children. Omega-3 is very good to advance our brain health because it affects the growth of cell membranes in the neurological system in the brain. In addition, omega 3 can improve memory so it is suitable for those who often forgetful. Lastly, Children who frequently consume omega 3 it is very good to help the physical and mental development of children.
Snails contain high percentage of protein (12-16%) and irons (45-50 mg/kg) they are low in fat and also contain almost all the amino acids needed by humans.
Snail meat has a high medicinal value known to control hypertension and its blue liquid is used in stopping excessive bleeding from open wounds.
HOW TO START A SNAIL FARMING/REARING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
Snail rearing in Nigeria requires you to have at heart the following before thinking of entering it which are
You must Be determined.
You must Set up a business plan for your snail business.
The ability to Determine your cost or capital.
Ability to Select a fertile land and type of soil.
The Housing and Using of intensive system must be appropriate for their living.
Ability to Selecting the right breed and stocking.
Feed your snail appropriately.
Healthy management.
Reproduction and maturity.
Harvesting.
Marketing your snail.
Other issues; include possible pests and diseases.
Now that we have listed the points that we will be discussing about, now lets explain them one after the other.
1) Be determined
It is one thing to think of a business plan, it is also another thing to be determined, set it up and nurture it till it grows. To set up a snail farming business in Nigeria, you must be really determined and be sure that this is what you want to do. No business is easy, not even snail farming in Nigeria. Remember when you are determined, you loose procrastination. The zeal must be there before you intend to start any business as this will drive you in making your plans workout.
2) Write a business plan for your snail business
In setting up a snail farming business in Nigeria, you must setup a perfect business plan for it. A good business is one that has a business plan which is why I always use to emphasize on this when letting down a guard . A business that has a business plan is one that has the high potential of succeeding well. It is so because a business plan entails the amount of capital you intend to start with, your estimated gain, the amount of money you intend to spend in purchasing of equipment or building your facilities, the number of snail youre starting with, etc, plus your marketing strategies. When all these are documented, it will give you an insight of the direction your business is heading to; that is if you are gaining or losing in your snail farm business; this also applies to other business. Another good reason why you should have a good business plan is because whenever you are in need of a loan, a good business plan would back you up to secure a faster loan from investors because the investors could see you as being serious and having a good insight into the snail business.
3) Determine your cost or capital
You should determine the scale and the amount of money you intend to start your snail farming business with. Do you want to start the snail farming small or do you want to start big? These are among the questions you should have an answer to before you start. Some people start with a huge capital, while other start with little capital then as time goes on, they put in more snails as the profit grows. This all depends on the size of your pocket, remember; the one good thing about snail farming business is that you can start it with low capital.
4) Selecting a fertile land and type of soil
When selecting a land for starting your snail farming business in Nigeria, select lands that are plain with adequate shade and the soil should not be waterlogged. It must be balanced and it should not be too dry, and also it must not be acidic. If possible, the most desirable and recommended type of soil for snail farming is sandy-loamy or loamy soil with low water holding capacity. The reason why you need a good loamy soil for rearing your snail is because snails derive calcium which is used for forming its shell from the soil and it also gets its water from the soil and lays its eggs on soil. So therefore, Snails cannot be reared on concrete floors.
5) Snail farming housing and using of intensive system
If you intend to construct and rear your snail in a snail pen, tank or drum and not on an open place or farm, then you are still on point. This method is highly recommended, because you will keep a close watch on your snail and they also wont be able crawl away in different direction. When constructing this pen, tank or drum, or even in trampolines, it can be high or low fenced. For those of you who intend to construct a high fenced pen, the walls should be a dwarf wall with bricks of about 1.5m high built all around it and it should have wire gauze at the top. You should try to prevent ants or insects (who are snails predators) by digging some trenches around the underneath or foundation of the fence and pour some engine oil on it; this will help in prevent the gathering of ants or insects. This same application goes for those constructing low fenced pens. If you intend to construct a concrete floored snail pen; you should cover the ground of the soil with soil, (loamy soil) to give the snails a better condition.
NB: it is better and highly recommended that when constructing your snail pen (house for your snail), you build a pen that has a bare soil on the floor, and not cement it. Put fresh leaves or damp the soil to make the snail feeling at home.
(6) Selecting the right breed and stocking for your snail farm.
After constructing your snail pen, now its time to stock your snail pens with snails. When selecting or getting your snail, you should select snails that are fresh; they should also have hard shells without damage, patches or nodes on the surface.
Also look for the ones that are sexually matured which weigh heavily. There many species of nails in Nigeria. And they are;
Zebra Nerite snail
Tracked Nerite snail
Horned Nerite snail
Sulawesi snail
Pond snail
Apple snail
The best species are known as Achatina Fulica, Achatina Achatina and the Archachatina Marginata but for rearing snail, it is better and highly recommended that you get the Achatina Achatina (also known as giant Ghana snail or giant tiger land snail.) The reason why it is recommended that you rear Achatina Achatina snail species is because it is big in nature, and most especially, this snail can lay many eggs up to over one thousand each year. This kind of massive reproduction is good snail farming business in Nigeria.
7) Feeding your snail.
Like I wrote before, rearing snail or snail farming is really not costly which is why it is a good business to venture into, feeding your snail is really not costly because snail feeds on fruits, sweet potato, cassava tuber, soya bean, maize chaff, palm kernel cake, fish meal, tomatoes, cocoyam, pawpaw fruits, cucumber and leaves, plantains, bananas, cabbage, lettuce leaves and guava fruits. As you can see, snails are carefree animals that are not really selective of foods. Just make sure that whatever fruit or food you are giving them is salt free that is, it has no salt. But the simple way I have discovered in composing their meal shall be revealed to you below , all you need to do is enter the market and make your composition. So for a 50 kilogram meal, you can use
25 kg of white or yellow maize
5 kg of soya beans
5 kg of wheat offals
3 kg of groundnut
2 kg of Palm kernel cake
3 kg of fish meal
6 kg of Bones that have been burnt or ashed
1 kg of lysine and monotoline , these are vitamins premixes
After this you grind and bag it , this can be given to them either moistened or dry as that. I hope I have been able to help you this far, if you feel like having a one on one consultation, feel free to call for an appointment .
8) Snail farming healthy management
Just because we having been saying that snails dont fall sick as much or that snails are easy to manage does not mean you should not take care of your snail. There is much mortality in snail, as it is in other animal husbandry too. You should remember to take adequate care of your snail. Put in mind that it is your business and source of income and dont just treat it anyhow. Know when to provide it food. Feed your snails regularly morning and night with drinking water and also avoid mixing with salt, mixing fruits and tuber leaves. Always try to frequently clean the feed and water dishes and give them good water. Also Earthworms added to the soil help keep the pen clean
9) Snail farming reproduction and maturity.
Male and female snails fertilize each another, after mating which may take several hours, they lay their eggs in depressions under logs or fragments. Though they start laying white eggs 8-12 months when they are sexually mature, Snail eggs hatches between 3 to 6 week, this si due to the environmental situation .
After hatching, the baby snail stays in the soil for 2-5 days. Then the baby should be put in a separate pen to give it available space to grow. Moreover, it usually takes up to 1½ to 2 years to grow to adulthood. A well matured snail should have a thick, harder and if possible big brim/shell.
10) Other issues on snail farming; include possible pests and diseases
You should look out for possible pest or disease that could harm your snail. Parasites, nematodes, trematodes, fungi, and micro arthropods can attack snails, and such problems can spread rapidly when snail populations are intense. Also look out for and prevent rats, mice, moles, skunks, weasels, birds, frogs, toads, lizards and walking insects. Another thing is solider ants as when they sting them, they hide in their shells and die off gradually, never allow a dead snail to stay longer in the pen as that will cause lots of fungus and pathogens to start breeding. These are pests that could harm your snail.
11) Harvesting your snail.
When your snails are all matured, harvest them for selling, Do not sell your snail when it is not yet mature. It is advisable not to harvest all the snail at once this is it is important so as to keep some for breeding and to serve as base stock for your snail farm.
12) Marketing your snail
Though it is better to do this before harvesting, sample your snail to available buyers who might be interested. Market your snail to market women, hotels, joints and also restaurants. But before you do this, do a market research to know how much snail cost in the market. This will help you know the price to which you will be selling yours; so as not to sell above the normal price or below the normal price.
SNAIL FARMING DISEASES
This section was reserved till now because it could be boring. Below are some of the diseases of snails you may want to be familiar with. We may write details on them later on this blog.
Operculum detoriation: holes, loss of operculum
Snail inactivity
Loss of tentacles or small tentacles
Hole in the shell
Thin and fragile shell
Body disformation
Detoriation of shell and operculum
Oedema
Discoloration in new shell
Intoxications
Rough shell surface in new shell parts
Reproduction problems
Irregular growth of the shell
Egg problem
Snails Deseases and Pests
You must be aware of several predators, parasites and diseases if you really want to make it in this business Because Snails have many natural predators, including members of all major vertebrate groups, carnivorous snails, ground beetles, leeches and even predatory caterpillars.
Predators
When we talk about predators the major predators of snail farming are field mice, rats and shrews, frogs and toads, thrushes, crows and domesticated birds such as ducks and turkeys, lizards and snakes, drilid and carabid beetles, and millipedes and centipedes. The frogs tend to take only the young snails, while the reptiles eat both eggs and snails of all ages.
If your farm is located in an area with high bird predation, it is necessary to use nets to cover your pens. You should make sure you are removing leftover food daily from pens because some predators, particularly rats and field mice, are attracted by the leftover foods. These predators can decimate a farm in a few days.
Basic hygiene prevents the spread of diseases. What you can do to prevent your snail farm from dis disease is to make sure you are cleaning it regularly to remove excreta and uneaten food, as well as any other decaying matter that may serve as substrate for pathogenic organisms. It is also advisable to sterilise the soil in hutch boxes by steaming or heating every time they are being prepared for a new batch of egg.
Now you see; setting up a snail farming business in Nigeria has a lot of advantage from having a low cost in setting up to easy management.
Snail farming business in Nigeria is among the lucrative agricultural business opportunity that most people who knows the worth are embarking on.
The secret of making millions in any business is to master your game, dream big, try to differentiate yourself from competitors and work smarter.
For more information, visit my facebook page as TDK snails farm.
My email is kennynthny@gmail.com or kennynthny@live.com.
Phone number is 08086931603.
Thanks for reading and if you wish to show appreciation, you can drop anything to my first bank account which is
First Bank, Anthony Adesanya
3030958031.
Have a great deal in snail farming.
Thanks , the unselfish snail farmer
Achatina fulica, is a species of large, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. It is the smallest in size among all the desirable species for rearing in Africa. Achatina fulica has a narrow, conical shell, which is twice as long as it is wide and contains 7 to 9 whorls when fully grown. The shell is generally reddish-brown in colour with weak yellowish vertical markings but colouration varies with environmental conditions and diet. A light coffee colour is common. Adults of the species may exceed 20cm in shell length but generally average about 5 to 10cm. The average weight of the snail is approximately 32 grams (Cooling 2005).Achatina Achatina – Achatina achatina, common name the giant Ghana snail, also known as the giant tiger land snail, is a species of very large, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae.
Giant African land snails are hemraphrodites, meaning they possess both the female and male reproductive organs. Two snails are still needed for breeding, but they are very prolific breeders. Similar to the other species in the genus, Achatina achatina’s shell can attain a length of 200 mm and a maximum diameter of 100 mm. They may possess between 7-8 whorls and the shell is often broadly ovate. The body of the animal is silver-brown in color although albino morphs may exist.
3. Archachatina Marginata – Archachatina marginata, common name the giant West African snail, is a species of air-breathing tropical land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. They can grow up to 20cm long, and live up to 10 years. Among these three species, Achatina Achatina is the most desirable for farmers because it grows so big to become the biggest snail species in the world. Achatina Achaina has its origin in Nigeria, hence it is indigenous to Nigeria. It also has high yield capacity. The other species are good too, but we could focus on Achatina Achatina and Archachatina Marginata because they are common and easy to find in Nigeria.
