SNAIL FARMING BUSINESS, ITS PROS AND CONS
Snail farming business, its pros and cons
Are you interested in getting into snail farming? Are you wondering what this agribusiness is for? Have you discovered the pros and cons of snail farming? If yes, then this article is for you!
Everything has advantages and disadvantages, so there are some disadvantages to snail farming. You need to understand two aspects to know if farming is the right agribusiness for you.
Interestingly, the benefits of snail farming outweigh the drawbacks in many ways.
Advantages of snail Farming (pros)
- The first benefit of the snail farm and the reason why it is useful is that snails are produced in the population. Snails can lay up to 400 eggs at a time and at least twice a year. Snails are also hermaphrodites (having male and female reproductive organs) and when two snails mate, they both lay about 800 eggs in total. When snails lay their eggs, they cover their soil for about 15 to 21 days, after which the baby snails come out of the shell. The number of eggs does not mean the number of baby snails, however, some do not appear. There are instructions on how to make a snail’s egg, go through it.
- Snails are also friendly creatures. They don’t make noise or smell bad like goats and pigs. You can have a snail farm in your house and no one can know about it.
- Snail meat is a rich and healthy food. It can be boiled, baked or boiled . You have to try it to know how much I salivate just talking about it. Snail meat is also rich in calcium, iron and phosphorus to name a few. People suffering from various heart diseases are recommended to eat snail meat because of its low cholesterol and fat levels. It’s a better alternative to red meat.
- The snail farming business is very flexible. Everyone wants to make a profit in business and that is what snail farming offers. Since snail meat is very nutritious, the demand and consumption of snails is increasing in different countries around the world. Snail slimes are also used in the production of medicine, cosmetics and other leather products. This has made it an export product because there is an international demand for snails.
- The cost of production in the Snail Farming Business is low. Besides a snail shelter, other requirements for starting a snail trading business are low. From providing snail food to supplying snail eggs and human supplies, the cost of snail farming is much lower than other forms of livestock production.
- There is a low mortality rate in the snail farming business. With adequate systems in place, such as good shelter and land, the risk of loss to predators will be reduced. Snails also rarely cause disease, as they are known to be hardy creatures. Snails are also very intelligent and find ways to survive in harsh climates.
- Snail farming creates jobs on a global scale. Many countries view unemployment as a major challenge, especially among young people. Empowering young people and encouraging them to start farming is one way to reduce the unemployment rate. Departments such as financial accounting, bookkeeping, snail egg harvesting, snail farm management, processing, shipping and snail marketing are examples of situations in large snail farms. Don’t be surprised that everything from it is useful.
- Snails are one of the most versatile creatures, dead or alive. From snail slime used in medicine and cosmetics to ground snail slime as a calcium supplement in animal feed or in the art of butchering itself, everything is useful! Crushed snail shells can also be used as a scouring agent for washing pots, etc. Snail shells are used as necklaces and other ornaments in various countries around the world. And of course, delicious snail meat is the best winter!
- Snail farming can earn foreign currency. Don’t forget that their products are in high demand, making them a source of foreign income through exports. However, some countries have banned the importation and/or breeding of snails. The climate in some countries is also not conducive to snail farming, which is an advantage for Nigerians who want to meet their demand for snails.
- Raising snails does not take time. Since snails are active at night, you have time to go about your daily activities without worrying about their well-being. You only have to take care of the feeders in the evening and have a day to prepare the toilet to avoid the increase in prey between the snails.
Disadvantages of snail farming (cons)
- The downside of snail farming is not enough to prevent you from investing in or starting a snail farm. As mentioned earlier, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Let’s take a quick look at them.
- Snails grow slowly. Unlike poultry which can be reproduced in 3 to 6 months depending on the species before reaching marketable size, snails take longer. It can take between 8 months and a year to reach market size. In addition, only 40% of the total weight is part of the consumption, which is meat. Therefore, the pig farm requires patience and consistency because there are seeds only after the first year, especially if you start your pig farm business with new hatchling.
- Traditional beliefs about snail farming. Despite the widespread acceptance of snail food around the world, some cultures and religions have restrictions on snails. Some are interesting like a pregnant woman shouldn’t eat snails if she doesn’t want to give birth to a disgusting baby. I know for myself that this is a lie because my mother told me that she took many snails when she was pregnant with me, and lo and behold, it was not a bullet. We must change our minds and stop spreading false beliefs. On the other hand, for the religious part, I keep my thoughts to myself.
- Snails can be pest in nature! In fact, that is why some countries have banned snail farming. Snails burrow into the soil and may emerge from the other side of the snail chamber. They can run into farmland and, as they feed on leaves, the snails destroy the trees that can always be a source of wealth. And to make matters worse, snails are multiplying! Therefore, snails do not take pests.
- Snails are affected by weather. Snails cannot survive in extreme weather conditions. In cold weather, they may die and in hot weather, they die too. The weather must be good for their survival. The tropical rainforest is the best climate for farming. These are the disadvantages of snail farming.