HELICICULTURE (SNAIL FARMING)

Agriculture one of the oldest human profession in the world, one of the neglected and seen as poor man profession.

Earlier this morning, I was sharing some vital information with some of my online mentees about the opportunity in the agricultural sector, I see it as a gold mine. One thing have remain constant ever since the creation of mankind which is "Food". Man has been created to always fill his stomach with food. But it's alarming with the high rate of unemployment, people still write application seeking for where to work whereas a goldmine is beside them but they could not see it.

Back in school days, I can still remember the definition for agriculture that we were taught by our teacher. Although the system of modern days agriculture farming has gone beyond that level.

Agriculture is the planting of crops and rearing of animals for man use or consumption

The definition shows that, agriculture is divided into two main aspect. Planting of crops and rearing of animals. In this post, I will be buttressing more on the rearing of animals heliciculture in particular.

Some time last month, I saw a ads on a particular whatsapp influencer status about snail farming. That has been one of the animals I have love to rear, I quickly paid and get added to the group where I got all the information needed to start the business.

FACTS ABOUT SNAIL FARMING

Heliciculture snail farming is one of the most lucrative business of the century with less competitors in the business.

1. Snail are hermaphrodite. Meaning they have both male and female organs. Keeping snail of the same species together they can fertilize theselves and both lay eggs.

2. Snail farming is a low risk investment. It has little capital to start.

3. A snail can lay up-to 200-500 eggs per batch.

4. Snail has about 14,175 teeth all located in their tongue.

5. Snail can walk on sharp objects without getting harm. The slime they produce help them walk on sharp object and upside down too.

6. Snail produce thick slime that are use in the cosmetic industry.

7. Snail are deaf, they can only see feel and smell.

8. Snail feed on over 500 different types of leafs etc.

After undergoing through the training, I also gathered knowledge by visiting a farm where animals were rear.

This are some of the picture from the farm. The farmer has over 100 birds that lay eggs, pigs, fish pond, etc. It was a wonderful tour for me.

BEST TIME TO START SNAIL FARM

From the experience gather so far, I have come to a conclusion about month that is suitable to start snail farming. It's during the raining season between june-oct. This are the time during the peak of rain. Snail love cool environment. They are nocturnal animals they are more active at night than day.

BEST SOIL FOR SNAIL FARMING

Sandy loamy soil

FEEDS FOR SNAIL

Snail feed on both formulated meal and home base feed. There's a formulated meal that help snail grow faster bigger and produce shell. Home base feed such as moringa, okra leaf, pawpaw leaf, mango leaf, bitter leaf, cashew leave etc are very good for snail. They also love feeding onfruits such as cucumber, pineapple, carrots, watermelon etc. Home food such as pounded yam, amala (yam fask) garri are also good.

Note:- Never you feed your snail with salty food. They can kill them.

SNAIL PREDA

1. Man

2. Ants

3. Fly's

HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SNAIL

1. Snail are good source of protein

2. Good foreign exchange means of earning

3. Snail contain essential vitamin such as A, E, B1, B6 and B12.

4. High profit margin

5. Are good choice meat for diabetes patient because it's low in cholesterol.

Snail farming is a good because with high demand compare to low supply. This are business opportunity that youth can venture into and succeed in within a few years. Thanks more post coming from my snail farm.