Heliculturists have called more Youths to go into snail farming as part of measures to meet local and international demand.
The farmers, in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that heliculture (snail farming) is a lucrative agricultural business that many young entrepreneurs often overlook.
Heliculture is the act of rearing or raising snails specifically for meat, slime, eggs, or other economic uses.
One of the farmers in Kuje, Abuja, Mrs. Antonia Ekpe, advised youths to invest in heliculture.
She described snail farming as a viable business venture that is gradually being explored in Nigeria and Africa.
According to her, snail farming has an inexhaustible market potential that not only tend to the production of meat, but also skin care products and medication.
Yamtaly Abdulmarie, who is the Director of Dimfarms, said that few individuals are creating wealth and leaving behind legacies on snail farming in Nigeria.
He said that there is need for more investors in the business considering that it is a lucrative venture with enormous benefits and huge market potentials.
”In Nigeria, the price of medium size snail cost between N250 and N600.
“Research shows that the annual demand for snail in Nigeria is about 7.5 million kg and countries like the U.S. imports more than four million dollars worth of snails annually from all over the world, including Nigeria.
“Imagine the broad benefits that can be reaped from the venture, yet we see only a small number of youths going into the sector.
“Snail farming is a low-risk business. Unlike many other livestock businesses, snail farming requires very little start up and operating costs.
”It is not time intensive and it allows you to focus on other businesses.”
Abdulmarie, however stressed the need for scientific research and long-term investments in the development of snail farming in the country.
This was even as Victor Onwuchekwa, a heliculturist and Chief Executive Officer of Animal Agro Ventures (AAV), called on government to properly sensitise the youths on snail farming and encourage investments on all platforms.
“Youths should have access to credit facilities from the government with favourable repayment plan, to enable beneficiaries manage the business.
“They should be introduced to snail farming through the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development programmes in the universities, National Youth Service Scheme programmes and skills intervention plans.“
Onwuchekwa said that besides being a source of protein, there are other benefits derived from snails, such as cosmetic and medicinal ingredients.
”Snail slime (the drawing liquid) is used by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries in the treatment of skin diseases such as pimples.
“It also provides vitamin B12, an essential vitamin needed to prevent and control diabetes. The benefits are numerous.”
On the challenges in the sector, Kalu Igbe, said that they include lack of access to capital, lack of infrastructure and many others.
“Returns on investment in snail farming are as slow as the snail themselves. This makes it difficult for snail farmers to access loans from financial institutions or establishments.
“However, financial institutions must understand that snail farming was a long term investment that yielded more than 100 per cent of its input.
”Lack of technical know-how in snail farming is another challenge that threatens the sector’s existence.”
Igbe said that more research needs to be carried out if the sector must survive another decade and meet up with international standards.
Mrs. Justina Ayuba, another heliculturist, said that snail farming practice by itself is highly untapped, as it is a money making machine with vast possibilities.
She advised the youths to seize the opportunities presented to them rather than waiting for government’s intervention
