If you are thinking about starting snail farming in Nigeria,you are on the right track. You can ask me why. Let me answer you: Snail farming has become a lucrative business in Nigeria, and there is high demand for snails both in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole. With low start-up costs and a high return on investments. The snail farming business is very profitable, which many people failed to realize. Today I am going to uncover the guides, costs, and benefits of snail farming in Nigeria.
Basics of Snail Farming
It is very important to have a basic knowledge about snail behavior.
- Snails are known as Hermaphrodite which means they have male and female reproductive organs.
- They like to feed and move around in the night.
- They survive in a warm and humid environment with a temperature range of 20-30°C and humidity levels between 70-90%.
- They also feed on any decomposing organic matter including rotten leaves,fruits,vegetables, other dead snails and slugs.
- Snails are sensitive to light and noise, and can quickly get disturbed if exposed to loud noises or sunlight. This might hinder their reproduction and growth.
- They like calm environments
- Calcium is very necessary for their shell growth
Also Read : Bee Farming in Nigeria,Africa: A Starter’s Guide
Identifying a Suitable Snail Breed
There are various breeds of snails that are suitable for snail farming in Nigeria. Each species has its own unique behavior and requirements, so it is very essential that you pick the one that is most appropriate for your snail farming desires and environment.
- The Giant Tiger Land Snail (Achatina achatina): This breed can lay up to 70-350 eggs at a time, and they lay eggs about one to three times a year and healthy and disease-free breed. The larger of the three and known for its high meat yield.
- The Giant West African Snail (Achachatina Marginata): This breed lays 7-15 eggs four times within a year.
- African giant snail (Achatina fulica):The Achatina Fulica species lays as much as 100-400 eggs about six times a year. It is smaller and more suitable for those who are just starting snail farming for the first time.
So you can decide on the particular breed you want to start with.
Buy from reputable breeders: Look for snail breeders who have a good reputation and can provide you with disease-free snails.
Feeding Your Snails
Snails eat a variety of organic things, including rotten fruits, vegetables, and leaves. Calcium is nutritionally important to snails, as it is essential for shell formation. You may supply your snails with a healthy diet by feeding them a mixture of fruits and vegetables, such as pawpaw, banana, cabbage, and lettuce. Things to avoid when feeding snails are foods high in fat, sugar, or salt.
Disease Prevention and Management
For your snail farming to be profitable,disease prevention and management is very important. Diseases that affect snails include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and parasite infestations. It is critical to maintain appropriate hygiene and sanitation procedures on your farm to prevent illness spread.This includes cleaning the snail pens on a regular basis, eliminating dead snails, and properly disposing of waste materials. To prevent disease transmission, quarantine any new snails before introducing them to your existing population.
Creating the Ideal Environment for Snail Farming
Snails require a warm and humid environment to thrive, with a temperature range of 20-30°C and humidity levels between 70-90%. The ideal farming environment for snails is a shaded area with good ventilation, free from predators and harsh weather conditions.
To create the ideal farming environment, you can construct a snail pen using locally available materials such as wood, bamboo, and wire mesh. The pen should be spacious enough to accommodate the snails and allow for easy movement. You can also create a substrate for the snails to live on, such as soil, coconut coir, or sawdust.
Marketing and Selling Your Snails
Once your snails are ready for sale, it is important to have a marketing strategy in place. You can sell your snails to local markets, restaurants, or directly to consumers. You can also market your snails online, through social media platforms or e-commerce websites.
To ensure a successful marketing strategy, it is important to have a clear understanding of your target market and their needs. You can also differentiate your product by offering value-added services such as cleaning and packaging.
Cost Of Starting A Snail Farm In Nigeria
The cost of beginning a snail farm in Nigeria varies depending on where you live, but it is strongly influenced by the supplies you use and whether or not you lease land for your farm. The following are the costs of the items you will require:The cost of beginning a snail farm in Nigeria is determined by a variety of factors, including the size of your farm, the type of snails you choose to grow, and the cost of materials and equipment. Let us assume that you are starting with 100 snails. A reasonable estimation of the cost of kicking off a snail farm in Nigeria is as follows:
Snail farm construction: N30,000
Buy your snail 100 pieces for 350 naira each,
100 Snails: N35,000
snail food =70% free in your Environment
Food expenses for a Year = 25,000 naira
Grand Total Expenses for a Year= N105,000
Your 100 snails in a year can give you 350 snails per one.
Baby snail each 100×350=35,000 snails in a year
If you decide to sell at whole price 100 naira each (wholesale)
100×35,000 =3,500,000 naira per year.
In Summary,an investment of N105,000 in one year you are making about above 3 million Naira.
Snail farming in Nigeria has become a lucrative and profitable business. There is high demand of snail in Nigeria. Snail is very nutritious to the body. It contains protein, fat (mainly polyunsaturated fatty acid), iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamins A, B6, B12, K, and folate. It also contains the amino acids; arginine and lysine at higher levels than in whole egg etc. So what are you waiting for to start snail farming in Nigeria.
