Agrotize Integrated Systems is a company incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission to engage in crop and animal production, agro-processing, off-taking and marketing services, agric-tours, agro-industrial consulting services and eco-management.

Coincidentally, we stumbled on the snail farming knowledge when one of our directors happened to engage in a business discussion during an executive training organized by a top-level organization in Nigeria.

Quickly spurred by this knowledge, we conducted snail farming trials from our backyard, and upon being successful and shocked by its high profitability, we decided to engage fully in the entire snail farming value chain which involved production, processing, marketing and feed production.

In this series, we would be sharing our knowledge and business experience on the subject of snail farming as it pertains to the uniqueness of Nigeria in terms of demography, culture and other social factors.

Most importantly, we would lay emphasis on how you can earn a 6-7 figure income rearing snails from your backyard i.e starting small.

Sit back, relax with prompt attention to details while we take you on a roller coaster ride through this life-changing masterpiece.

Regards,

Newton Ovie.
GM/CEO Agrotize Integrated Systems

How To Earn A 6-7 Figure Income Rearing Snails From Your Backyard - Part II (Introduction)

Introduction

Nigeria, though blessed with abundant resources continues to plunge down the pit of recession. The country which is extremely rich in terms of natural resources evenly distributed in the 36 states of the Federation, totally focuses on just one of its abundant resources – CRUDE OIL. To make matters worse, underemployment and constantly-rising inflation rates vis-a-vis the continuous deflation of the naira makes even the so-called employed people living from pay cheque to pay cheque.

What is the way forward?

Agriculture has been identified as a powerful tool to bring economic change and provide employment to a vast majority wallowing in poverty and living below $1 (N400) per day, and remains the only occupation that the Nigerian constitution allows anyone to do alongside his/her major occupation. Yes, and this includes the military and civil servants.

Snail Farming, the act of rearing snails for consumption and commercial purposes is one of the most-neglected areas of animal husbandry that has the capability of generating a 6-7 figure income, even when you start small from your backyard.

In Nigeria, snails sold in the market are harvested from the wild and little efforts have been made to domesticate and raise snails commercially. It might interest you to note that in recent years, however, wild snail populations have declined considerably, primarily because of the impact of such human activities as deforestation, pesticide use, slash-and-burn agriculture, spontaneous bushfires, and the collection of snails before they have reached maturity. Little wonder when dry season approaches, snails are not sold in the market, not because they cannot be sold or are not needed, but because they simply cannot be found in the forest by that time.

The remaining part of this series introduces snail farming and exposes us to suitable snail species for rearing, factors to be considered in choosing a suitable location, snail farming systems, food and feeding, as well as sharing our own snail farming story.

Regards,

Newton Ovie.
GM/CEO Agrotize Integrated Systems

N.B. If you cannot wait for the entire series to be uploaded, you can get it all in a compiled PDF document / E-book for FREE @ Compiled Free PDF Document or type www(dot)tinyurl(dot)com/husd5ge


Questions/comments are welcome.

How To Earn A 6-7 Figure Income Rearing Snails From Your Backyard - Part III & IV (Snail farming; Species Selection)

Snail farming

Snails are usually herbivores with omnivore tendencies. They have a complex hermaphroditic reproductive system. They are high in protein, low in fat and a source of iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc. Recent investigations revealed that snail meat contains 70% of water while its dry matter is high in essential amino acids such as lysine, leucine, arginine, tryptophan and 30% minerals. Snail is also a source of calcium ortho-phosphate, a chemical substrate for curing kidney diseases. A recent study has also shown that the glandular substances from edible snails cause agglutination of certain bacteria; this could be of value against a variety of ailments including whooping cough. Products from snail meat belong to foodstuffs with high nutritional value. Thus, snail meat gains an advantage over others.

Snail Farming which involves the rearing of snails has the following benefits:-

1. Environmental-friendliness: Snails are environment-friendly, because, unlike poultry or pigs, neither the snail nor its droppings smell offensively. Snails can also be reared in the backyard.

2. Low Inputs Needed: Capital, technical, labour and financial inputs in simple snail farming are relatively low compared to those in other types of livestock farming (poultry, pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle).

3. High Nutritional Value: Snail meat is a good source of protein. It is rich in iron and calcium, but low in fat and cholesterol compared to other protein sources like poultry and pigs.

In order to raise snails directly from your backyard, as is the aim of this series, the right species of snails must be reared in order to maximize profits and ensure acceptability of your snails when it is ready for sale.

Species selection

The most popular edible snails in West Africa are the big black, Archachatina marginata and giant snail, Achatina achatina. Emphasis will be made on only these two species as they have been identified as the best for snail farming in Nigeria in terms of size and customer acceptability.

1. Archachatina marginata



Archachatina marginata (big black snail, giant African land snail) is a large snail, generally growing to about 20 cm and a live weight of 500g. The shell is much less pointed than the Achatina species, the roundness being especially obvious in young animals. Striation on the shell may give the appearance of a 'woven' texture. The head of the snail is dark-grey; its foot is a lighter shade.

The species reaches sexual maturity at an age of around one year, when the individuals reach a live weight of 100-125 g. Reciprocal copulation must occur to produce viable eggs. The eggs are comparatively large at 17 × 12 mm, with an average weight of 4.8g in a recent Nigerian stocking trial. For that reason the number of eggs per clutch is low, 10-30 eggs. Eggs are laid in the soil at a depth of about 10 cm.

Throughout the year, it can lay altogether around 100 – 300 eggs, with a very low mortality rate.

2. Achatina achatina



Achatina achatina (giant snail, tiger snail) can also be considered a good candidate for snail farming although it requires higher humidity than Archachatina marginata and needs a longer growing time to reach sexual maturity. Although usually much smaller, they can grow up to 30 cm in body length and 25 cm in shell height. Average adult shell length is 18cm, with an average diameter of 9cm. The conically shaped, fairly pointed shell is brownish with a characteristic stripe pattern (hence the name tiger snail).

It reproduces by self-fertilization. Unlike in many other species, reproduction is not preceded by coupling, although it is not unusual to find two snails in close proximity.

Eggs are laid in clutches of 30-300 eggs and deposited in dug-out holes about 4 cm deep. Throughout the year, it can lay altogether around 300 – 3000 eggs and also has a high hatching rate of 90+%; even 100% hatchability is not uncommon.

Let’s take a break here. In the next post, we will talk about site selection.

Do have a great time.

Regards,

Newton Ovie.
GM/CEO Agrotize Integrated Systems

N.B. If you cannot wait for the entire series to be uploaded, you can get it all in a compiled PDF document / E-book for FREE @ Compiled Free PDF Document or type www(dot)tinyurl(dot)com/husd5ge


Questions/comments are welcome.

How To Earn A 6-7 Figure Income Rearing Snails From Your Backyard - Part V (Site Selection)

Site Selection

Snails are cold-blooded; they thrive best in areas with moderate temperatures and high humidity. Obviously, snails can be reared in a completely controlled, indoor environment, but at a price. When considering a suitable site for your snail farm, put in mind that snails are master escapist. Therefore, you must endeavor to construct an enclosure that is escape-proof.

In choosing the type of snail pen to use, one must consider the following factors:-

1. Climate:
Snails are cold-blooded; they thrive best in areas with moderate temperatures and high humidity. Obviously, snails can be reared in a completely controlled, indoor environment, but at a price. Efforts should be made to wet the snails in the morning and evening if in an enclosed environment.

2. Wind speed and direction:
Wind increases rapidly the loss of moisture in snails. It is advised that in order to prevent snails from drying out, snaileries should be situated in sites that are protected from the wind. Planting (fruit) trees around snail pens will help to reduce wind speed and improve the micro-climate. It will also protect the snails from scorching sun or heavy rain.

3. Soil characteristics:
Soil is a major part of a snail's habitat. Loamy soils are the best for snail rearing. Since snails dig in the soil to lay their eggs and to rest during the dry season, it is essential that the soil is loose and that its calcium and water content is high. Heavy, clayey soil that becomes waterlogged in the rainy season and compacts during the dry season is undesirable. Very sandy soil is undesirable as well because of its low water-holding capacity. Soils with high organic matter support the growth and development of snails. As a rule of the thumb, if a soil supports good growth of cocoyam, tomatoes and leafy vegetables, it is suitable for snail farming. Snails need damp, not wet, environments. Although snails need moisture, you must drain wet or waterlogged soil. Similarly, rainwater must run off promptly. Snails breathe air and may drown in overly wet surroundings.

It has been a pleasure sharing this with you. Do have a great time.

Regards,
Newton Ovie.
GM/CEO Agrotize Integrated Systems

N.B. If you cannot wait for the entire series to be uploaded, you can get it all in a compiled PDF document / E-book for FREE @ Compiled Free PDF Document or type www(dot)tinyurl(dot)com/husd5ge

Questions/comments are welcome.

Recently Constructed Snail Pens Constructed For A Friend in His Backyard Using Mud Bricks - (Very Cheap)

I am with you but, the site to download that pdf is not open

john1982:
I am with you but, the site to download that pdf is not open

I have downloaded the e-book and it's very enriching. Just click that ''compiled free PDF document'' link above.