Snail Farming In Nigeria
Snail farming in Nigeria is a very popular and lucrative agricultural business individuals can venture into due to its low capital intensity and presently it is providing one of the finest opportunity to make money within a short period of time. Snail has a huge demand in Nigeria market because of its unique taste and nutritional value.
Snail meat contain a high amount of protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and very low in fat. Snail pie is recommended as a cheap source of protein and iron for school-age children and young mothers and could contribute in the fight against iron deficiency anaemia.
Another vital reason for snail farming business in Nigeria is it’s economic value. Some people consider the snail farming as a good money spinning venture. You can make good earning from snail farming within a very short time.
“The land snail is a readily available and affordable source of animal protein, inhabits a lot of green forest and swamps of most developing countries including Nigeria, “It is also increasingly cultivated, although in the West it is more familiar as an unusual pet than a pie.
Land snails belongs to the class of Molluscan, Gastropod popularly known as ‘Congo Meat‘ in many parts of Africa. Nigerian’s called it Eju or Igbin. There are so many species of snails but the types we are looking at here are the ones that are suitable for commercial Snail Farming in Africa.
Commercial snail farming has become an alternative for livestock farmers as it offers them new business opportunities. Snail farming is thriving at the moment in Nigeria because it was neglected and overlooked.
Snail breeding can yield quick money if the farmer understands the nitty-gritty of the modern techniques and type of species that are in high demand in Nigeria, Europe, USA and other developed countries.
In terms of cost and time, snail farming is a low risk business and profitable unlike many other livestock businesses, snail farming requires very little start up and operating costs. Someone can start with N50, 000 to N150, 000 depending on the size of your farm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Q2d3wFTaE
Appropriate Soil for Snail Farming In Nigeria
Let bear in mind that soil is the main habitat of snail. For successful snail farming in Nigeria, the selected land for this business must have to contain some of the components and chemical substances which are necessary for surviving the snails. For this reason, all types of soil are not suitable for commercial snail farming.
The shell of the snail is mainly calcium and they derive most of the calcium from the soil. They drink water from the soil and also lay eggs on the soil. For successful farming you must have to select a such suitable place with availability of all types of necessary facilities for the snails.
The suitable soil for snail farming must contain these elements. Must be balanced, not waterlogged, not too dry, and must not be acidic. The most desirable soil for snail is sandy soil, loamy soil with low water holding capacity is perfect in for snail farming in Nigeria. Clayey soil and acidic soil must be avoided.
However, snails are easily dehydrated. Dryness occurs in snails due to moisture loose in snail. Wind increase the rate of moisture loose in snails. So, it will be advisable to select a good area or location for the establishment of the snail farming business.
Suitable Area or Environment for Snail Farming in Nigeria
For preventing the snails from losing water form their body quickly, you have to place the snail farm in wind protected place void of any wind interference. An area with many trees can make perfect environment for snail farming in Nigeria.
How To Start A Snail Farming In Nigeria
To start up a snail farming in Nigeria, it is advisable to get snails directly from the forest instead of buying from the market after they have been exposed to sunlight and have dehydrated. This is because snails drink a lot of water, so they are easily dehydrated and this stresses them out, and reduce their fertility capacity.
As an intending snail farmer you can pick the snails from the bush with a very simple technique; clear a little portion of land during rainy season and sprinkle spicy fruits like pineapple, pawpaw, plantain, banana etc this attract them to where you just cleared after three (3) hours you will be able pick up snails suitable for rearing. Repeat the procedure until you get enough quantity you desire to start with.
Another techniques you can adopt is that you can pick snail eggs littered in the market place where it is sold. Do the following to obtain the best result for your snail rearing, check the fertility of the eggs, because some of them must have lost fertility due to the exposure to sunlight.
The eggs are later put inside a container containing wet sand and covered with coco-yam leaf. Between 21 to 28 days, the eggs would hatch into baby snails, You will start feeding them and gradually they will developed and you raise a snail farm you so desire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Q2d3wFTaE
How To Construct The Snailery
Snailery is very essential for snail farming in Nigeria. A good snail farmer keeps the snails safe and productive For larger population of snails, you can dug a trench or make a concrete pen with soil deep of about 10 inches, and cover it with screen or wire all around to prevent the snails from escaping. Remember that snails can reproduce fast and become pests when their breeding is uncontrolled.
Snails love dark and cold places, but make sure the humidity does not drop to levels harmful to the snails. You can use fresh leaves and wet cloth regularly to regulate the temperature during dry/sunny period.
Also, the wire is useful in keeping away rats and snakes or any other predators from eating the snails in your snail farm. But aside from these bigger predators, you should be cautious of the smaller ones like ants and termites. Your construction must have these predators in mind.
But if you want to be rearing the snail in a small quantity you can use fence protected ground, patch, sheltered from the wind or a covered box or plastics can easily be used. however, the most important thing is that you must make sure that the snails are not dehydrated because it can lead to the cons in snail farming.
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