snail farming business plan

Snail Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Agriculture Sector » Livestock Farming

Are you about starting a snail farming business? If YES, here is a complete sample snail farming business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a snail farming business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample snail marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for snail farms. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Snail farming is another interesting, thriving and profitable business venture that an entrepreneur for is interested in making money from livestock breeding should consider going into. As a matter of fact, snail farming requires low start – up capital and anyone who is serious about business can generate good income from the business.

Snail meat has been severally affirmed as a most safe and nutritious delicacy. In these days of increased coronary implications and other health implications, snail farmers are certain to hit it big because many people are shunning away from beef or red meat.

It is also pleasing to note that snail production venture could be kick-started with a little initial capital. The best period to commence snail farming is the rainy season; you can start about 50 to 60 snails to have a good knowledge of how snail breeding works.

Make sure you go for a fully matured and big nails. In starting your own snail farming business, you will need to write out what your plans are. This can be your long term goals, as well as your short term goals.

Other things to be included in your plan includes; your choice of location, the sales projection you have, the staff strength that you plan to launch out with, as well as other things that must not be toyed with as you look to build a world-class business. There is a sample snail farming business that you can use to work on your own business plan;

A Sample Snail Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

One good business that falls under the agriculture cum meat production industry that an entrepreneur can successful start is snail farming.

Snail farming is not capital intensive and management tasking, especially when compared to other meat rearing business like poultry and catfish farming. The feeds are readily available and you can even produce it yourself as snails feed on waste.

You can start small from your backyard and grow from there. Due to its high nutritional value, snails have become a very popular delicacy. Snail meat is very rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin E as well as vitamin C.

Snail meat is very popular among weight watchers because they are extremely low in calories and fat. Snail meat is also very beneficial to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and people trying to recover from an injury.

The Livestock Farming industry of which snail farming line of business is a part of is indeed a large industry and pretty much active in countries such as United States of America, Israel, Brazil, China, Germany, Argentina and Nigeria et al. It is a fact that there is no single snail farming business that has dominate market share in the industry hence smaller snail farming business can successfully compete in the industry and still make appreciable profits.

If you are looking towards leveraging on the livestock industry to generate huge income, then one of your best bet is to start your own snail farming business. Snail farming business is all about mass – breeding of snails for the sole aim of making profits.

One thing is certain about snail farming business, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies , you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your snails because there are loads of people out there we eat snails especially in Africa and of course African communities in the united states of America.

Over and above, snail farming business is indeed a profitable and thriving livestock breeding business that an entrepreneur who is interested in farming should consider going into.

2. Executive Summary

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is a registered and licensed livestock farming company that will be based in the outskirt of Dallas, Texas – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure five hectares of land to start our livestock breeding business.

Our livestock breeding business is a going to be standard one hence will be involved in commercial breeding of snails and other livestock.

We choose to start our snail farming business in Dallas Texas because we are sure of generating enough market for our snails considering the robust populations of African communities in the Dallas – Texas and of course throughout the United States of America.

We have plans in the pipeline to start our snail processing plant and also start exporting our products to other parts of the world where they have active African communities.

This is why aside from the fact that we’ve secured the required farming land for breeding snails in commercial level, we have also secured all the necessary permits that will enable us successfully run this type of business in the United States of America.

We are in the snail farming business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the livestock farming industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food (meat) production, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is well equipped and well positioned to become one of the leading snail farming business in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and equipment to run the business.

We have put process and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to livestock breeding/snail farming processes and meat processing and packaging as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America.

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is a family registered livestock farming company that is owned and managed by Blake Morrison and his immediate family members. The company will be fully and single handedly financed by the owner – Blake Morrison and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

Blake Morrison is an African American that has robust relationship with the African communities in throughout the United States of America and with intercontinental hotels who serve snail meat as part of their cuisine.

3. Our Products and Services

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is a licensed livestock farming business that is committed to snail farming and snail meat processing and packaging for both the United States’ market and the global market. We will also ensure that we operate a standard food processing plant as part of our complimentary business offering.

We are in the snail farming line of business to make profits and we are going to do all that is permitted by the law in the United States of America to achieve our business aim and objectives.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the leading snail farming company not just in Dallas – Texas, but also in the United States of America and Canada.
• Our mission is to sell our produce (live snails), and processed snail meat in commercial quantities both locally, nationally and internationally. We want to build a snail farming business that will become the pacesetter for snail farming business in the United States of America and Canada.

Our Business Structure

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is a livestock cum snail farming company that intend starting small in Dallas – Texas, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading livestock farms in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands in and around Iowa.

At Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner)

Snail Farm Manager

Administrator/Accountant

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Field Employees
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Operating Officer:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Supervise other section manager
• Ensures compliance during project executions
• Provides advice on the management of farming activities across all section
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Uses IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of crops, fishes, birds and animals
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce after harvest
• Represents the organization’s interest at various stakeholders meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied. Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily snail farming activities
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Sales and Marketing Officer

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of new business
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company.

Field Workers/Contract Staff

• Responsible for feeding snails as instructed by the supervisor
• Responsible for cleaning the snail farm/cage
• Handles snail farm implements and machines as instructed by the section manager / supervisor
• Assists in handling the breeding and harvesting of snails
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Assists in transport working tools and equipment from the farm and back to the designated store room
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

Client Service Executive/Front Desk Officer

• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients
• Receives parcels/documents for the company
• Distribute mails in the organization

6. SWOT Analysis

We are aware that loads of people in the United States of America do not eat snail meat which is why we want to do our due diligence before launching the business. Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis.

We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard snail farming business that will favorably compete with leading livestock farms in the United States of America and in the rest part of the world.

As a snail farming business, we look forward to maximizing our strength and opportunities and also to work around our weaknesses and threats. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd;

Our strength as a snail farming business is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players (agriculture merchants, African communities and intercontinental hotels who serve snail meats) in the meat production industry; both suppliers and buyers within and outside of the United States.

We have some of the latest snail farming tools and equipment that will help us breed snails in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in snail farming line of under our payroll.

Aside from the fact that loads of people do not eat snail meat in the United States of America, one of our weaknesses could be that we are a new livestock cum snail farms in the United States and we may not have the required cash to pump into promoting of our business and encourage people to eat snail meat.

We are aware of this and from our projection will overcome this weakness with time and turn it to a major advantage for the business.

• Opportunities:

Despite the fact that the average Americans do not eat snail meat, the opportunities that are available to us as a snail farming business cannot be quantified, we know that there are loads of African communities and intercontinental hotels that will source for snail meat from our snail farms both in the United States of America and other parts of the world.

Some of the threats and challenges that we are likely going to face when we start our own livestock farm cum snail farming business are global economic downturn that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor within same location.

There is hardly anything you can do as regards this threats and challenges other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for your good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

In the United States of America, it is not trendy to find people who do eat snail meat except for people from Nigeria and other African countries. As a matter of fact, some Americans will find it strange that people do eat snail meat.

In view of the above, people who are into snail farming ensure that they target Nigerian or African communities in the United States or wherever they intend selling their snails. They also ensure that they target intercontinental hotels that serve snail meat as part of their cuisine.

Lastly, snail farmers ensure that they leverage on health benefits of snail in marketing snails. As a matter of fact, snails are very popular among weight watchers because they are extremely low in calories and fat. Snail meat is also very beneficial to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and people trying to recover from an injury.

8. Our Target Market

As you would expect, the target market of those who are the end consumer of snails and also those who benefits from the business value chain of snail farming is all encompassing; it is far – reaching.

We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers of snails not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting some of our snails either in live form or processed form to other countries of the world. Here are the people and organizations we will market our snails to;

• Nigerian cum African Communities in Dallas – Texas and other states in the United States of America
• Weight watchers
• People recovering from cardiovascular disease, cancer and those trying to recover from injuries
• Intercontinental hotels and restaurants that serves snail meats

Our Competitive Advantage

It is important to state that snail farming is not a common enterprise in the United States of America hence the level of competition is not as stiff as it is amongst other livestock farming businesses.

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is fully aware that snail farming is not a popular line of business in the United States which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the untapped market in the United States and in other parts of the world.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us leverage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable snail farming processes that can help us sell our snail and processed snail meat at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups snail farming companies in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is in the livestock breeding industry cum snail farming business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within this line of business to achieve our corporate goals and objectives.

In essence we are not going to rely only on the sale of our live snail and processed snail meat to generate income for the business but also other business interests within the value chain.

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey and market research conducted, we are able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial livestock farm cum snail farms depend on the size of the farm, the network of the farm.

We have been able to critically examine the snail farming line of business cum commercial livestock farm business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of commercial livestock farm/snail farming business that we want to run. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd;

• First Fiscal Year-: $200,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $700,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), and unfavorable government policies. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are fully aware that marketing snails in a country like the United States of America can be a bit tasking because loads of people do not eat snail meat. It will take conscious effort for us to convince people who do not eat snail meat to patronize us and start eating snails.

Our goal is to grow Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd to become the leading livestock cum snail farms in the whole of Dallas – Texas and the whole of the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the potential market and grow to become a major force to reckon with in the snail farming cum livestock farming industry.

Over and above, we have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants and intercontinental restaurants and hotels that rely on live snail from the snail farms cum livestock farming industry who are likely to refer become our customers.

In summary, Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd will adopt the following strategies in marketing our commercial farm produce;

• Introduce our snail farming business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the agriculture industry, intercontinental restaurants and hotels that rely on live snail from the snail farms cum livestock farming industry, Nigeria cum African communities, and agriculture produce merchant et al.
• Advertise our business and livestock farms in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
• List our snail farms on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
• Attend related agriculture/livestock and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means (both conventional and non – conventional means) to advertise and promote the business.

We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means. We know that it is important to create strategies that will help us boost our brand awareness and to create a corporate identity for our snail farming business.

Below are the platforms we want to leverage on to boost our commercial livestock cum snail farm brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
• Install our Billboards on strategic locations all around Dallas – Texas
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact Nigeria cum African communities, intercontinental hotels and restaurants and residence in our target areas by calling them up and informing them of Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd and the farm produce we sell
• List our snail farms in local directories/yellow pages
• Advertise our snail farms in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

We are aware that if you want to get the right pricing for your livestock or snails, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for your snail farm, choose a good breed that will guarantee steady and multiple breeding (prolific breeds), cut the cost of running your snail farm to the barest minimum.

You should try as much as possible to attract buyers to your farm as against taking your snails to the market to source for buyers; with this, you would have successfully eliminate the cost of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics.

So also, we are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers for all our snails is to sell them at competitive prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our snails and processed and packaged snail meat are going to be what other snail farmers would look towards beating.

One thing is certain, the nature of snail farming business we are involved in makes it possible for farmers to place prices for their snails and processed and packaged snail meats based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry.

The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into loss. The easier you sell off your snail when they are mature the better for your business.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for our live snails and processed and packaged snail meat.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a commercial livestock farm cum snail farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The most important expenses is the construction of the snail farm or confinement as the case may be.

For example, the start – up cost for a fish farm is different from the start – up cost for mechanized crop farming, so also the start – up cost for poultry farming is different from the start – up cost of cattle ranch (dairy farm) et al.

As a matter of fact, if you choose to start a mechanized crop farming, then you should be willing to raise huge capital base to start the business. This is so because some cultivation machines / equipment can be pretty expensive. Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our start – up capital in setting up our commercial livestock cum snail farm;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in United States of America – $750.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land  – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farm land (for construction of snail cages / fencing et al et al) – $70,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / fencing et al– $50,000
• The amount required for purchase of the first set of snails – $50,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
• The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of $200,000 to start a standard commercial livestock cum snail farming business in the United States of America.

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd

No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a business such as snail farming.

No doubt raising start – up capital for a business might not come cheap, but it is a task that an entrepreneur must go through.

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is a family business that will be owned and managed by Blake Morrison and his immediate family members.

They are the sole financial of the firm, but may likely welcome other partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources. These are the areas where we intend sourcing for fund for Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 (Personal savings $30,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our farm produce (live snails and processed and packaged snail meat) a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Blake Morrison & Family Farms Ltd will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our organization’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as determined by the management of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of snail farm land in Dallas – Texas: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Start – up Capital Generation: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Building /construction of cages and fence et al: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry the (agriculture industry, intercontinental restaurants and hotels that rely on live snail from the snail farms cum livestock farming industry, Nigeria cum African communities, and agriculture produce merchant et al): Completed

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Snail Farming Business Blueprint

• by Kevin Brighton
• 49 shares 0 0 49
• 14 minute read

Snail farming, also known as Heliciculture, is a growing industry that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the breeding, rearing, and processing of snails for human consumption. Snails are a low-fat, high-protein delicacy that is enjoyed by many around the world. If you are interested in starting a snail farm, there are a few things you need to know.

Understanding Heliciculture is the first step in starting a snail farm. This involves learning about the different types of snails, their biology, and their habitat requirements. Snails are hermaphrodites, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs. They also require a specific environment to thrive, including the right temperature, humidity, and food. By understanding these factors, you can create a suitable environment for your snails to grow and reproduce.

Setting up a Snail Farm requires careful planning and preparation. You will need to create a suitable habitat for your snails, including a shelter to protect them from the weather and predators. You will also need to provide them with a suitable diet, which may include fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, you will need to learn how to manage their health and growth, including monitoring their weight and checking for signs of disease. With the right approach, snail farming can be a profitable and rewarding venture.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• With proper understanding of the snail’s biology and habitat a successful snail farming business is feasible.
• Setting up a suitable habitat and providing a balanced diet are essential for snail growth and reproduction.
• Proper health and growth management, along with market research, can help ensure profitability in snail farming .

Understanding Heliciculture

History and definition.

Heliciculture, also known as snail farming, is the process of raising snails for human consumption, cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes. The practice of heliciculture dates back to ancient times, where snails were consumed as a delicacy by the Greeks and Romans. Today, snail farming is a growing industry, with many countries around the world engaging in the practice.

Benefits of Snail Farming

Snail farming has many benefits. Firstly, snails are a great source of protein , containing all the essential amino acids required by the human body. Additionally, snails are low in fat and high in minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium. Snail farming also has a low environmental impact, as snails require less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.

Snail Species for Farming

There are many species of snails that can be farmed, but the most commonly farmed species are the Roman snail (Helix pomatia), the Cornu aspersum (formerly known as Helix aspersa), and the African snail (family Helicidae). The Roman snail is a large snail native to Europe and is highly prized for its flavor. The Cornu aspersum is a smaller snail native to the Mediterranean region and is commonly used in French cuisine. The African snail is a large snail native to Africa and is popular in many African countries.

Setting Up a Snail Farm

If you are interested in starting a snail farm, there are a few key things to consider before getting started, including choosing the right location, selecting the appropriate type of snail farm, and obtaining the necessary equipment and facilities.

Choosing the Right Location

One of the most important factors to consider when setting up a snail farm is choosing the right location. Snails require a specific type of environment to thrive, so it is important to select a location that is suitable for their needs. Some factors to consider when choosing a location include:

• Land: Snail farming can be done on a small or large scale, depending on the amount of land available. If you plan to start with a small operation, you may be able to use a small plot of land in your backyard. If you plan to start a larger operation, you will need to find a larger piece of land to accommodate your snail pens.
• Controlled environment: Snails require a specific type of environment to thrive, so it is important to choose a location that can be controlled. This may mean setting up a greenhouse or other type of enclosed space to keep your snails safe and healthy.

Types of Snail Farms

There are several different types of snail farms to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of snail farms include:

• Closed systems: Closed systems are typically used for large-scale snail farming operations. These systems are designed to keep the snails contained and provide a controlled environment for breeding and growth .
• Outdoor pens: Outdoor pens are a popular choice for small-scale snail farming operations. These pens are typically made from wood or other materials and can be moved around as needed.

Equipment and Facilities

In addition to choosing the right location and type of snail farm, you will also need to obtain the necessary equipment and facilities to get started. Some of the most important pieces of equipment and facilities to consider include:

• Snail pens: Snail pens are the most important piece of equipment for any snail farming operation. These pens should be designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your snails to grow and breed.
• Fencing: Fencing is an important part of any snail farming operation, as it helps to keep your snails safe and contained. You will need to invest in high-quality fencing materials to ensure that your snails stay safe and secure.

By taking the time to choose the right location, type of snail farm, and equipment and facilities, you can set yourself up for success in the world of snail farming. With the right approach and a little bit of hard work, you can create a thriving snail farming operation that provides you with a steady source of income for years to come.

Capital Expenses

Monthly operational expenses, projections, snail farming conditions.

If you are considering starting a snail farm, it’s important to understand the optimal conditions and requirements for your snails to thrive. In this section, we will discuss the three main factors that affect snail farming conditions: Soil and Substrate, Climate and Temperature Control, and Humidity and Water Requirements.

Soil and Substrate

Snails require a specific type of soil and substrate to grow and reproduce . The ideal soil for snail farming should be well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A soil that is too acidic or alkaline can negatively affect the growth and health of your snails.

The substrate should be a mixture of sand, clay, and calcium carbonate. The sand helps with drainage, while the clay holds moisture. Calcium carbonate is necessary for the snails’ shell development . You should avoid using soil that has been treated with pesticides or fertilizers, as this can be harmful to your snails.

Climate and Temperature Control

Snails are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, so it’s important to maintain a consistent environment for them. The optimal temperature range for snail farming is between 20°C and 25°C. Temperatures above 30°C can be detrimental to your snails, while temperatures below 10°C can cause them to hibernate.

You should also ensure that your snail farm is well-ventilated , as high humidity can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Air humidity should be between 70% and 90%, while soil moisture should be between 60% and 90%.

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Humidity and Water Requirements

Snails require a consistent supply of water to survive and grow. In addition to drinking water, they also require a high level of humidity to prevent dehydration. You should mist the snails and the soil regularly to maintain a high level of humidity.

It’s important to note that snails are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals found in tap water. You should use rainwater or well water instead. You should also avoid using standing water, as this can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria.

Snail Diet and Nutrition

When it comes to snail farming, providing a well-balanced diet is crucial for optimal growth and development. Feeding practices, nutritional requirements, and supplements and growth factors that are essential for successful heliciculture.

Feeding Practices

Snails are herbivores and feed on a variety of plants , fruits, and vegetables. Cornu aspersum and Helix aspersa are two of the most common species used in snail farming. These snails prefer a diet that is high in calcium and protein, which can be achieved by feeding them a mix of fresh greens, such as lettuce, cabbage, and spinach, along with fruits like apples, pears, and bananas.

It is important to note that snails have a delicate digestive system, and overfeeding or feeding them the wrong foods can lead to health problems and slow growth. To avoid this, it is recommended to feed snails small amounts of food at regular intervals and to monitor their growth and health closely.

Nutritional Requirements

Snails require a well-balanced feed that contains all the nutrients they need for growth and development. This includes protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D. A diet that is deficient in any of these nutrients can lead to stunted growth, shell deformities, and other health problems.

To ensure that snails are getting the proper nutrition, it is recommended to provide them with a commercial snail feed that is specifically formulated for their nutritional needs. These feeds are available in both pellet and powder form and can be supplemented with fresh greens and fruits.

Supplements and Growth Factors

In addition to a well-balanced feed, snails may require supplements and growth factors to promote optimal growth and development. One of the most important supplements for snails is calcium, which is essential for shell development and overall health.

Calcium can be provided in the form of crushed eggshells, calcium carbonate, or oyster shells. Other supplements that may be beneficial for snails include probiotics, which can help improve their digestion, and growth factors, such as chitin, which can promote shell growth.

Breeding and Reproduction

Breeding and reproduction are essential aspects of Heliciculture. Successfully breeding snails requires proper management of their life cycle, which includes egg laying, hatching, and raising young snails. Here are some key factors to consider when breeding snails.

Breeding Cycles

Snails have specific breeding cycles, which vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. Typically, snails go through several breeding cycles each year, with each cycle lasting approximately six months. During the breeding season, snails become more active and engage in courtship behavior.

Egg Laying and Hatching

Snail eggs are laid in clusters and can take anywhere from 10 days to several weeks to hatch, depending on the species and environmental conditions. To ensure successful hatching, the eggs must be kept in a moist and warm environment. Once the eggs hatch, the baby snails, or hatchlings, need to be fed a diet rich in calcium and protein to ensure healthy growth.

Managing Young Snails

Raising young snails requires careful management to ensure their survival. Young snails are vulnerable to predators and require a suitable habitat that provides shelter and protection. Additionally, the temperature and humidity levels must be carefully monitored to prevent stress and disease.

Overall, successful breeding and reproduction are essential for a healthy and productive snail farm. By understanding the breeding cycles, egg laying and hatching, and managing young snails, you can ensure the successful growth and development of your snail population.

Health and Growth Management

Monitoring Growth Rates

To maximize the growth of your snails, it is essential to monitor their growth rates regularly. You can do this by weighing a sample of snails at regular intervals and recording their weights in a spreadsheet or notebook. This will help you track their growth rates and adjust their diet accordingly.

Snails require a balanced diet to grow and thrive. They feed on a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. You can supplement their diet with calcium-rich foods such as eggshells, which help to strengthen their shells.

Disease Prevention

Disease prevention is crucial in snail farming. Snails are susceptible to a range of diseases that can affect their growth and health. To prevent disease outbreaks, it is essential to maintain good hygiene practices and keep the snail pens clean and dry.

One common disease that affects snails is shell rot, which is caused by bacteria and fungi. To prevent shell rot, it is essential to keep the snail pens clean and dry and avoid overcrowding the snails. You can also apply a thin layer of lime to the soil to reduce the risk of infection.

Pests and Predators

Snails are vulnerable to a range of pests and predators, including birds, rodents, and insects. To protect your snails from these threats, it is essential to secure the snail pens with wire mesh or netting. You can also use natural predators such as ducks and geese to control pests and predators.

Another common pest that affects snails is mites. Mites feed on the mucus of snails, which can weaken their shells and make them more vulnerable to disease. To prevent mite infestations, it is essential to keep the snail pens clean and dry and avoid overcrowding the snails.

Harvesting and Processing

When it comes to snail farming, harvesting and processing the snails are crucial steps in the production process. In this section, we’ll cover the different techniques used for harvesting, post-harvest handling, and the various products derived from snail meat.

Harvesting Techniques

Harvesting snails can be a delicate process that requires precision and care. There are several methods used for harvesting snails, including manual and mechanical methods. Manual harvesting involves handpicking snails from their habitat, while mechanical harvesting uses machines to collect snails from the ground.

Manual harvesting is preferred for producing high-quality snail meat, as it allows farmers to select only the healthiest and mature snails. However, it can be a time-consuming process and requires a significant amount of labor. On the other hand, mechanical harvesting is faster and more efficient, but it may result in lower-quality snail meat due to the inclusion of immature or damaged snails.

Post-Harvest Handling

Once the snails are harvested, they need to be processed to ensure their quality and safety. Post-harvest handling involves several steps, including cleaning, purging, and packaging. Cleaning involves removing any dirt, debris, or mucus from the snails’ shells and bodies. Purging involves feeding the snails a special diet to remove any unwanted substances from their digestive systems.

Packaging is the final step in post-harvest handling, and it involves packing the snails in containers for storage or transportation. The packaging should be done carefully to ensure that the snails are not damaged or stressed during transit.

Snail Meat and Byproducts

Snail meat is the primary product derived from snails, and it is highly valued for its taste, texture, and nutritional value. Snail meat is commonly consumed as a delicacy in many parts of the world, and it can be prepared in various ways, including grilling, frying, or stewing.

In addition to snail meat, there are several byproducts that can be derived from snails, including caviar, white caviar, and mucus and droppings. Snail caviar is a rare and expensive delicacy that is made from the eggs of snails. White caviar is a type of snail caviar that is produced from albino snails. Snail mucus and droppings are also used in the cosmetics industry for their moisturizing and anti-aging properties.

Overall, harvesting and processing snails require precision and care to ensure the quality and safety of the final product. With the right techniques and equipment, snail farmers can produce high-quality snail meat and byproducts that are highly valued in the market.

Market and Economics

Understanding the snail market.

Before starting a snail farm, it is important to understand the snail market. Snails are a delicacy in many parts of the world, and their demand is high. The snail market can be divided into two segments: the human consumption market and the cosmetic market. The human consumption market is the larger of the two, and it is driven primarily by the demand for snails as food. Snails are a good source of protein, and they are also low in fat and high in minerals. The cosmetic market is smaller, but it is still significant. Snail slime is used in cosmetic applications and in the cosmetic industry.

Profitability and Business Planning

Snail farming can be a profitable business if done correctly. However, it is important to plan carefully before starting a snail farm. You will need to consider factors such as the cost of land, labor, feed, and equipment. You will also need to consider the market demand for snails in your area. It is important to have a business plan in place before starting your snail farm to ensure that you can make a profit.

Challenges and Opportunities

Snail farming can be challenging due to the delicate nature of snails. They require a specific environment to thrive, and they are susceptible to disease and predators. However, there are also many opportunities in snail farming. Snails are relatively easy to care for, and they can be raised in small spaces. Additionally, there is a growing demand for snails for both human consumption and cosmetic applications.

Regulations and Certifications

Global regulation and standards.

When it comes to snail farming, there are a number of regulations and standards that must be followed to ensure the safety and quality of the final product. These regulations and standards are put in place by various organizations and agencies around the world to protect consumers and ensure that snail products are safe for consumption.

One such organization is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. The FDA has established regulations for the use of snails in food and cosmetic products. These regulations cover everything from the breeding, harvesting, and processing of snails to the labeling and marketing of snail products.

In addition to the FDA, there are also a number of global regulations and standards that snail farmers must follow. These regulations and standards cover everything from the use of pesticides and other chemicals to the storage and transportation of snail products.

It is very important for you to thoroughly review your country or state laws and regulation before you make any financial commitment. Some snail species are illegal in some states and countries. The last thing you would want if make investment towards your business and face problems with the authorities. In this link, you can find your State’s Agriculture Department and more information.

The website for the US Department of Agriculture offers more information for farmers in general and some other information about snails farming.

Certification for Snail Products

To ensure that snail products meet these regulations and standards, many snail farmers choose to obtain certification for their products. Certification is a process by which a third-party organization verifies that a product meets certain standards or criteria.

There are a number of organizations that offer certification for snail products, including the GlobalGAP certification program. This program is designed to ensure that snail products are produced in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.

In addition to GlobalGAP , there are also a number of other certification programs that snail farmers can choose from. These programs cover everything from food safety and quality to organic and non-GMO certification.

By obtaining certification for their snail products, farmers can demonstrate to consumers that their products are safe, high-quality, and environmentally sustainable. This can help to build trust with consumers and increase demand for their products.

Innovations and Future Directions

Research and Development in Heliciculture

As the demand for snails continues to rise, there is a need for more research and development in heliciculture to improve production efficiency and quality. Researchers are exploring different snail species, breeding techniques, feed formulation, and environmental conditions to optimize snail growth and reproduction. For example, some studies have shown that snails fed with protein-rich diets grow faster and produce more offspring. Additionally, advanced breeding techniques such as selective breeding and genetic engineering may be used to develop snails with desirable traits such as disease resistance, faster growth, and higher meat yield.

Emerging Markets and Trends

The global market for snails and snail products is expanding, with new opportunities emerging in different regions and sectors. In Europe, for instance, there is a growing demand for snail caviar, a delicacy made from snail eggs. In Asia, snail slime is used in cosmetics and skincare products due to its purported anti-aging and moisturizing properties. In Africa, snail farming is gaining popularity as a source of protein and income for small-scale farmers. Moreover, with the increasing interest in sustainable and alternative protein sources, snail meat is becoming more popular among health-conscious consumers.

To tap into these emerging markets and trends, snail farmers need to adapt to changing consumer preferences and regulations. For example, they may need to invest in new technologies such as automated feeding and monitoring systems, or adopt sustainable farming practices such as organic farming and waste recycling. By embracing innovation and staying abreast of market trends, heliciculturists can position themselves for success in the future.

This may seem like a lot to take in. There are many other details you need to be aware of before starting a snail farm. If you found this article interesting, you can read more on how to start Snail Farming in the Guide to Snail Farming .

Kevin Brighton

Kevin is one of the co-founders of Escargot World. Kevin took an interested with small animals and pets ever since he was a little kid growing up in Boston MA. Although his life took him on a technology path with an engineering degree, Kevin always found ways to pursue his passion and love for snails. So, Escargot World was born.

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How To Write a Business Plan for Snail Farming in 9 Steps: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on snail farming.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan
• Bundle Business Plan & Fin Model

Are you interested in starting a snail farming business? You're not alone. The snail farming industry is experiencing significant growth in the US, with more and more consumers seeking out locally-sourced and sustainable food options. In fact, the market for snail farming is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2027. If you're ready to take advantage of this lucrative opportunity, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the essential steps of writing a business plan for your snail farming venture.

Before diving into the details, it's crucial to conduct thorough market research. This step will help you gain a deep understanding of the demand for snail products in your target market and identify any potential challenges or risks you may face. By analyzing market trends and consumer preferences, you'll be better equipped to tailor your business strategy and stand out from the competition.

Once you've gathered your research, it's time to define your target market and customers. Who are your ideal customers? Are you targeting health-conscious individuals, culinary enthusiasts, or those in search of exotic delicacies? By understanding your target audience, you can tailor your marketing efforts and products to meet their specific needs and preferences.

An essential aspect of any business plan is analyzing your competitors. Take the time to research and identify other snail farming businesses in your area or niche. What strategies are they using? What are their strengths and weaknesses? By studying your competitors, you can identify opportunities for differentiation and create a unique selling proposition that sets you apart from the rest.

As with any business, there will inevitably be risks and challenges along the way. It's crucial to identify and prepare for these potential stumbling blocks in advance. Whether it's disease outbreaks, regulatory hurdles, or supply chain disruptions, having contingency plans in place will help you navigate these challenges more effectively.

Of course, starting any business requires careful financial planning. Determine your start-up costs, including expenses for land, equipment, snail stock, marketing, and operations. Create a detailed financial plan that includes projected revenue, expenses, and profit margins. This will not only help you secure necessary funding but also serve as a roadmap for financial success.

Your marketing strategy will play a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. Determine the most effective channels to reach your target market, whether it's through farmers' markets, online marketplaces, or your own website. Develop a captivating brand story that highlights the locally-sourced and sustainable nature of your snail products. Consider offering educational workshops or tours to further engage your customers and build loyalty.

Before launching your snail farming business, ensure you have all the necessary permits and licenses. Each state and locality may have specific regulations governing the production and sale of snail products. Consult your local agriculture department or an expert in the field to ensure compliance and avoid any legal issues down the line.

In order to maintain smooth operations, create a detailed operational plan. Outline your production processes, including breeding, feeding, and harvesting techniques. Consider logistics, such as packaging and shipping, to ensure the timely delivery of your products while maintaining quality. Having a well-thought-out operational plan will help streamline your day-to-day activities and maximize efficiency.

Finally, don't underestimate the value of seeking expert advice and mentorship. The snail farming industry is relatively niche, and connecting with experienced individuals can provide valuable insights and guidance. Join industry associations, attend workshops or conferences, and network with other snail farmers. Their knowledge and mentorship can be instrumental in your success.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the key steps involved in writing a business plan for snail farming, it's time to dive in and bring your entrepreneurial dreams to life. Good luck on your snail farming adventure!

Conduct Market Research

Before diving into the world of snail farming, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and potential for success. Market research allows you to gather valuable insights about the industry, customers, and competitors, which will ultimately help you develop an effective business plan. Here are the key steps to conduct market research for your snail farming venture:

• Identify the existing demand for snail products in your target market. Determine if there is a growing trend or market gap that you can tap into.
• Study the preferences and buying behavior of potential customers. Analyze their demographics, interests, and purchasing power to determine the ideal target audience for your snail products.
• Analyze the competition in the snail farming industry. Identify other snail farmers in your region and examine their offerings, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and customer reviews. This will help you identify your unique selling points and create a competitive advantage.
• Explore potential risks and challenges associated with snail farming. Consider factors such as weather conditions, pest control, disease management, and regulatory requirements. This will help you assess the feasibility of your business idea and develop contingency plans.
• Research the market demand for educational workshops and tours . Determine if there is an interest in such activities among your target audience. This can offer additional revenue streams and enhance customer engagement.

Tips for conducting successful market research:

• Utilize online resources, industry reports, and agricultural publications to gather data and insights specific to snail farming.
• Interview potential customers and farmers at farmers' markets or industry events to gain firsthand knowledge and feedback.
• Engage with online communities and forums related to snail farming to connect with experienced farmers and gather insights from their experiences.
• Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to gather more detailed information on customer preferences and potential demand.

By conducting comprehensive market research, you will be equipped with the necessary information to make informed decisions and develop an effective business plan for your snail farming venture.

Define Target Market And Customers

Defining your target market and understanding your customers is crucial for the success of your snail farming business. By identifying and targeting specific demographics or segments of the population, you can tailor your products and marketing strategies to meet their needs and preferences.

1. Research consumer demand: Conduct thorough market research to determine the demand for snail products in your target area. Look for trends and patterns in consumer preferences, such as a growing interest in organic and sustainable food options.

2. Identify target customers: Once you have an understanding of the overall demand, narrow down your target market by identifying the specific customer groups most likely to purchase your snail products. Consider factors such as age, income level, lifestyle, dietary preferences, and geographic location.

• Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to gather insights directly from potential customers.
• Engage with local communities and organizations to understand their preferences and requirements.

3. Determine unique selling points: Differentiate your snail farming business by identifying the unique aspects of your products that will appeal to your target market. These could include factors such as locally-sourced, sustainable farming practices, or specific snail species known for their taste or nutritional value.

4. Tailor marketing messages: Craft your marketing messages and materials to resonate with your target customers. Highlight the benefits and value your snail products offer, such as their nutritional content, low environmental impact, or the convenience of purchasing directly from the farmer.

5. Explore niche markets: Consider targeting niche markets within the snail farming industry. These could include specialty restaurants, gourmet food stores, or individuals looking for unique and exotic culinary experiences.

By defining your target market and understanding your customers' preferences, you can effectively position your snail farming business and increase the likelihood of attracting loyal customers who appreciate your locally-sourced and sustainable food options.

Analyze Competitors

In order to succeed in the snail farming business, it's crucial to understand your competitors and the market landscape. By analyzing your competitors, you can identify their strengths and weaknesses, which will help you develop strategies to differentiate your business and gain a competitive edge.

Start by conducting thorough research on other snail farming operations in your area or target market. Look for information on their pricing, product quality, distribution channels, and customer base. This will give you a comprehensive overview of the existing competition and help you identify areas where you can surpass them.

Important factors to consider when analyzing your competitors:

• Product Differentiation: Look for unique selling points or features that distinguish your competitors' products from yours. Identify areas where you can offer something different or better to attract customers.
• Pricing Strategy: Examine the pricing strategies of your competitors. Are they charging premium prices for their snail products? Or are they targeting a lower price point to attract a broader customer base? Consider how you can position your pricing to be competitive while maintaining profitability.
• Marketing and Branding: Observe how your competitors are marketing their snail farming business. Pay attention to their branding, messaging, and advertising channels. Look for opportunities to differentiate your marketing efforts and effectively reach your target market.
• Customer Service: Analyze how your competitors interact with their customers and handle inquiries or complaints. Identify areas where you can excel in customer service to provide a superior experience.
• Visit local farmers' markets and online marketplaces to observe and learn from your competitors' selling techniques and customer interactions.
• Observe customer reviews and feedback about your competitors' products to gain insights into what customers appreciate or dislike.
• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers to gather their thoughts about existing snail farming businesses and what they are looking for in a supplier.

By thoroughly analyzing your competitors, you can identify opportunities for improvement and develop strategies that will help your snail farming business stand out in the market. This competitive analysis will serve as the foundation for building your unique value proposition and positioning yourself effectively among your target customers.

Identify Potential Risks and Challenges

As with any business venture, snail farming comes with its own set of risks and challenges. Identifying these potential obstacles ahead of time can help you develop strategies to mitigate them and ensure the success of your snail farm. Here are some key risks and challenges to consider:

• Lack of demand: Before diving into snail farming, it's crucial to assess the demand for snail products in your target market. Conduct market research to determine if there is a sufficient customer base and interest in locally-sourced and sustainable food options. If the demand is low, it may be necessary to adjust your business model or explore alternative markets.
• Seasonality: Snail farming may be subject to seasonal fluctuations and limited production during certain times of the year. This can impact your ability to meet customer demand consistently. Consider implementing strategies such as controlled-environment farming or diversifying your product offerings to address this challenge.
• Pest and disease management: Snail farms can be vulnerable to various pests and diseases that can significantly impact the health and productivity of your snails. It's essential to develop a comprehensive pest and disease management plan to prevent and address these issues effectively. Consult with experts or experienced snail farmers to ensure you implement the best practices.
• Regulations and permits: Snail farming may require specific permits and licenses, depending on your location. Ensure that you research and comply with all relevant regulations to avoid potential penalties or disruptions to your operations. This may include obtaining permits for land use, animal husbandry, food handling, and sales.
• Stay informed about market trends and consumer preferences in the sustainable food industry. This will help you anticipate and adapt to changes in demand.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers or other snail farmers. These connections can provide valuable support and knowledge-sharing to navigate common challenges.
• Consider joining industry associations or attending relevant conferences and workshops. Networking with experts and peers can offer insights and solutions to potential risks and challenges.

Determine Start-Up Costs And Create A Financial Plan

Before starting your snail farming business, it's vital to determine the start-up costs involved and create a comprehensive financial plan. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for your business's financial success.

1. Calculate Start-Up Costs: Begin by identifying all the necessary expenses required to launch your snail farming operation. This includes the procurement of snails, housing and infrastructure, equipment, breeding stock, and packaging materials. Research the current market prices and establish a budget that covers these costs.

2. Identify Operating Expenses: In addition to start-up costs, consider the ongoing expenses required to run your snail farm. This may include feed, labor, utilities, marketing, insurance, and any other necessary costs. Estimating these expenses accurately will help you create a realistic financial plan.

3. Create a Financial Plan: Develop a detailed financial plan outlining your projected revenue and expenses. This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide your business decisions and attract potential investors or lenders. It should include projected sales, expected pricing, profit margins, and monthly cash flow projections.

• Consider seeking professional advice from an accountant or financial advisor to ensure the accuracy of your financial projections.
• Regularly review and update your financial plan to reflect changes in market conditions or your business's performance.
• Set realistic financial goals and milestones, and track your progress regularly to stay on top of your financial performance.

4. Explore Funding Options: Once you have determined your start-up costs and created your financial plan, it's essential to identify potential funding sources. This may include personal savings, loans from financial institutions, grants, or even crowdfunding. Research and evaluate each option to choose the most suitable one for your business.

5. Monitor and Control Costs: Effectively managing your expenses is crucial for the success of your snail farming business. Regularly monitor your costs, identify areas where you can cut expenses, and find ways to optimize your resource utilization. This will help you maintain profitability and achieve financial sustainability.

In conclusion, determining the start-up costs and creating a financial plan is a key step in setting up your snail farming business. By accurately estimating expenses, creating a comprehensive financial plan, exploring funding options, and monitoring costs, you can effectively manage your finances and pave the way for a successful and profitable venture in snail farming.

Develop A Marketing Strategy

A strong marketing strategy is essential for any business, including snail farming. It helps you promote your products, build brand awareness, and attract customers. Here are the key steps to develop an effective marketing strategy:

• Identify your target market: Understanding your target market is crucial for marketing success. Determine who your ideal customers are and what their needs and preferences are. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right audience.
• Define your unique selling proposition (USP): Identify what sets your snail farming business apart from competitors. Highlight the reasons why customers should choose your products over others, such as superior quality or sustainable farming practices.
• Choose appropriate marketing channels: Consider the most effective channels to reach your target market. Farmers' markets, online marketplaces, and your own website are popular options for direct-to-consumer sales. Additionally, leverage social media platforms and email marketing to reach a wider audience.
• Create compelling messaging: Craft persuasive and informative messages that communicate the benefits of your snail products. Emphasize the local, sustainable, and high-quality aspects to attract environmentally conscious consumers. Use appealing visuals and storytelling to engage your audience.
• Offer product samples at farmers' markets to introduce potential customers to the unique taste and texture of snail meat.
• Collaborate with local restaurants or chefs who can feature your snail products on their menus, increasing exposure and credibility.
• Utilize influencer marketing by partnering with food or sustainability influencers who can endorse your snail farming business to their followers.

Evaluate and measure: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Track key metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and sales conversions. Adjust your strategies based on the insights gathered to optimize your marketing approach.

By developing a comprehensive marketing strategy, you can successfully promote your snail farming business, attract customers, and build a strong brand presence in the market.

Secure Necessary Permits And Licenses

Securing the necessary permits and licenses is a crucial step in starting a snail farming business. It ensures that you comply with all the legal requirements and regulations in your jurisdiction. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Research: Begin by researching the specific permits and licenses required for snail farming in your area. Check with your local agricultural department or regulatory agencies to understand the specific regulations and requirements.
• Permit application: Once you have identified the necessary permits and licenses, fill out the application forms accurately and submit them to the appropriate authorities. Be sure to include any supporting documents or information that may be required.
• Inspections: Some permits may require inspections to ensure that your snail farm meets the necessary health and safety standards. Prepare your farm and facilities accordingly, and be open to any suggestions or improvements that the inspectors may offer.
• Timeline and costs: Understand the timeline and costs associated with obtaining the permits and licenses. Some may have a quicker turnaround time, while others may require more extensive documentation and evaluation. Budget for any fees or expenses associated with the application process.
• Reach out to other snail farmers or agricultural associations in your area to gather advice and insights on navigating the permit application process.
• Maintain clear and organized records of all correspondence, application materials, and approvals related to your permits and licenses.
• Stay updated on any changes in regulations or requirements that may impact your snail farming business. Regularly check the websites or contact the relevant authorities for any updates.

Securing the necessary permits and licenses may require time and effort, but it is worth the investment. By ensuring compliance with regulations, you can operate your snail farming business legally and avoid potential penalties or setbacks in the future. It also demonstrates your commitment to providing safe and high-quality products to your customers.

Create A Detailed Operational Plan

Once you have conducted thorough market research, defined your target market, analyzed your competitors, identified potential risks and challenges, determined your start-up costs, and developed a marketing strategy, it's time to create a detailed operational plan for your snail farming business.

This operational plan will serve as a blueprint for how your business will function on a day-to-day basis. It will outline the various tasks, responsibilities, and processes involved in running your snail farming operation.

To create a comprehensive operational plan, consider the following:

• Production process: Outline the specific steps involved in breeding, feeding, and caring for your snails. Include information on the type of environment they require, the feeding regimen, and any specialized equipment or techniques.
• Inventory management: Detail how you will monitor and track your snail population, including methods for counting and recording inventory levels. Consider the tools or software you will use for this purpose.
• Quality control: Define the measures you will implement to ensure the health and quality of your snails. This may include regular inspections, disease prevention strategies, and proper sanitation protocols.
• Packaging and shipping: Determine the packaging materials and techniques you will use to protect your delicate snails during transportation. Consider the logistics of shipping, including selecting reliable carriers and optimizing delivery routes.
• Customer service: Establish protocols for handling customer inquiries, orders, and complaints. Consider implementing a system for tracking and responding to customer feedback and reviews.
• Staffing and training: If you plan to hire employees, outline the roles and responsibilities of each position. Develop a training program to ensure your staff members are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for snail farming.
• Health and safety: Prioritize the well-being of both your snails and your employees. Incorporate safety protocols and procedures into your operational plan, and provide appropriate training and protective equipment as needed.
• List all the equipment and supplies you will need for your snail farming operation, including sources for procurement.
• Consider developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for key tasks to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Regularly review and update your operational plan to adapt to changes in your business or external factors.

By creating a detailed operational plan, you will have a clear roadmap for managing your snail farming business effectively and efficiently. It will help you streamline your processes, maintain quality control, and provide exceptional service to your customers.

Seek Expert Advice And Mentorship

When starting a snail farming business, it is important to seek expert advice and mentorship to ensure you have the knowledge and guidance needed for success. While you may have a solid business plan in place, experienced professionals can offer valuable insights and help you navigate the challenges specific to snail farming.

Here are some important reasons why seeking expert advice and mentorship is crucial:

• Expand your knowledge: Experts and mentors in the snail farming industry can provide you with valuable information about best practices, market trends, and industry regulations. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.
• Gain practical insights: Learning from someone who has already been through the process of starting and running a successful snail farming business can give you practical insights that cannot be found in books or online resources. They can share their firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges.
• Receive personalized guidance: An expert or mentor can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific business needs. They can review your business plan, offer feedback, and help you refine your strategies. Their input can greatly increase the chances of your business's success.
• Expand your network: Connecting with experts and mentors in the snail farming industry can also help you expand your professional network. They may introduce you to potential partners, suppliers, or customers, opening doors for collaborations and business opportunities.

Tips for Finding Expert Advice and Mentorship in Snail Farming:

• Attend industry conferences and events to meet experienced professionals and potential mentors.
• Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to snail farming to connect with experts and fellow farmers.
• Reach out to local agriculture or farming organizations for recommendations on reputable mentors.
• Consider hiring a consultant specializing in snail farming to provide expert advice and guidance.
• Participate in training programs or workshops specifically designed for snail farmers.
• Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help - many professionals are willing to share their knowledge and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

Remember, seeking expert advice and mentorship is not a sign of weakness, but rather a smart move to set yourself up for success. Embrace the opportunity to learn from others and leverage their knowledge and experience to give your snail farming business a competitive edge.

Writing a business plan for snail farming is crucial for the success of your venture. By following these nine steps, you can ensure that you have a comprehensive plan in place to navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities in the snail farming industry.

Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and potential customers for your snail products. Define your target market and analyze your competitors to differentiate your business. Identify potential risks and challenges to develop strategies to mitigate them.

Create a financial plan to determine your start-up costs and ensure you have the necessary funds to launch and sustain your snail farming business. Develop a marketing strategy to promote your products and secure a loyal customer base.

Obtain the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally and stay compliant with regulations. Create a detailed operational plan to guide your day-to-day activities and ensure efficient operations. Seek expert advice and mentorship to gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced professionals in the industry.

By following these steps and considering the direct-to-consumer sales business model, you can position your snail farming business for success in the US market. With locally-sourced and sustainable food options gaining popularity, there is a significant opportunity for snail farmers to meet the demand and thrive in the industry.

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Snail Farming

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Snail farming (also called heliciculture ) is a very common and popular business in some countries. It is relatively easy and commercial production is very profitable.

However, snail farming is actually the process of raising edible land snails, mainly for human consumption and also for cosmetic use.

The meat and eggs of snail can be consumed as escargot and as a type of caviar respectively. Mucus has medical properties and also used in cosmetics (the mucus is also called snail slime).

Eating snails is not a new trend. Roasted snail shells have been found in archaeological excavations. It is an clear indication that snails have been eaten since prehistoric times.

There are many different snail species available throughout the world. But all of these snails are not edible. The best known and popular edible land snail species in the Western world is Helix pomatia.

Helix pomatia is commonly known as Burgundy snail or Roman snail. Although, this species is not fit for profitable snail farming business. And it is generally harvested from nature.

The most common snail species used for commercial production in the Western world is Cornu aspersum, formerly known as Helix aspera.[ 1 ]

Commercial snail farming is generally done with the African snail, in the tropical climates. African snail biologically doesn’t fall in the family of Helicidae, and meat of which therefore many not be called escargot.

You have to choose the right snail species, create a favorable habitat, and take good care of the snails for starting and maintaining a successful snail farming business. You can grow your snail farm from a personal hobby to a lucrative business with patience and dedication.

Table of Contents

Nutritional Value of Snail

Snails are very nutritious and tasty. It is healthy if you cook in the right way. According to information from the nutrient databank of France, the nutrient composition of raw snails (100 grams of edible portion) are:

• Available carbohydrates: 2 grams
• Calcium: 170 mg
• Energy: 80.5 kcal (337 kj)
• Fat: 1 gram
• Fiber: 0 gram
• Iron: 3.5 mg
• Protein: 16 grams
• Magnesium:250 mg
• Vitamin C: 0 mg
• Water: 79 grams

Advantages of Snail Farming Business

Snail farming is a common business in some countries. And it’s popularity is increasing gradually. There are many advantages or benefits of this business. Here we are trying to describe about the top advantages of starting commercial snail farming business.

• It’s relatively an old agribusiness . Many people are already doing this business for making profits.
• Raising snails is relatively easy. Even the beginners can start raising snails, if they complete a short training on snail production.
• Snails are hermaphroditic in nature, and they are highly reproductive.
• Both male and female reproductive organs are available in each snail. As a result, snails can reproduce very fast.
• One snail can lay eggs 6 times in a year. And a snail can lay more than 80 to 100 eggs each time.
• Snail meat is very tasty and delicious and also very popular in some countries.
• Snail meat is considered better than other red meat. And it is rich in nutrition.
• Snail meat is a great source of iron, protein, calcium and phosphorus, and it is very low in cholesterol, sodium and fat. That’s why snail meat is highly recommended by the dietitians and doctors for the patients and also for general people.
• Snails have demand in some African countries, but they also have very good demand in the Western world.
• Risk of loses is relatively less in snail farming business than any other types of farming business .
• You can start this business in small scale along with maintaining your current occupation.
• Commercial snail farming business generally require less investment. But the ROI is very good, and you will get your invested money back very soon.
• As it is a profitable business, so commercial snail production can be a great way for eradicating unemployment. Especially, the unemployed educated young people can take this business as their employment source.
• Commercial snail production is not a time consuming process. And there are also no problems of stress, odor, noise and irritation.
• Snail meat is very nutritious and healthy. And you can enjoy fresh snail meat if you can start your own production system.

How to Start Snail Farming Business

Starting snail farming is relatively easy. Even the beginners can start this business after having short training.

You can make good profits from this business if you can manage everything perfectly. Here we are trying to describe more about the steps for starting and maintaining a successful business.

Environment Requirement

Right environment is a must for raising snails. The snails are generally easily dehydrated. Dryness occurs in snails due to moisture loose in snails.

Natural wind increase the rate of moisture loss in snails. That’s why, you have to select a suitable location for establishing a your snail farm.

You have to keep the snails in snaileries in wind protected environment. This will prevent the snails from losing water from their body. An area with many trees can make perfect environment for the snails.

Suitable Climate

A mild climate with temperatures between 15°C and 25°C with high humidity (75% to 95%) is considered best for commercial snail farming business. Although, most of the snail varieties can stand a wider range of temperatures.

The optimal temperature is 21°C for many varieties. Snails hibernate, when the temperature falls below 7°C. The snails are inactive under 12°C, and all growth stops under 10°C temperature.

When the temperature rises much above 27°C or conditions become too dry, snails estivate. Wind is bad for snails because it speeds up moisture loss, and snails must retain moisture.

Suitable Soil

Soil is the main habitat of snail, and the soil must have to contain some of the components and chemical substances which are necessary for surviving of the snails.

That’s why all types of soil are not good for commercial snail farming business. Shell of the snails is mainly calcium, and they derive most of the calcium from the soil. They drink water from soil, and they also lay eggs on the soil.

So, it is very important to select a very suitable place with the availability of all types of necessary facilities for the snails. pH range between 5.8 and 7.5 is considered good for snails.

Snails don’t prefer waterlogged situation, and too much dry condition is also harmful for them. Avoid acidic soil, and sandy-loamy soil with low water holding capacity is considered perfect for snail production.

Snailery play a very important role in successful snail farming business. A good snailery keeps the snails safe and productive. The snaileries can vary from a patch of fence-protected ground, sheltered from the wind to a covered box.

You can also make a concrete pen and fill it with about 10 inches soil, or dig a trench and cover it with screen or wire all around. This is helpful for commercial production and will prevent the snails from escaping.

Most of the snails generally love to stay in cold and dark place. Never let harmful animals to enter into the snaileries such as snakes, rats or other predators.

Wire fencing is a great solution for keeping all these animals and predators out. You also have to prevent some smaller but harmful insects such as termites and ants.

You will need some materials for building your snailery such as decay- and termite –resistant timber, such as Milicia excelsa (trade name- iroko); Nauclea diderrichii (trade name- opepe); Lophira alata (trade name – ekki), sandcrete  blocks; mosquito nets and polythene sheets.

These types of materials are required for making each kind of snailery. The types of snaileries are:

• Hutch boxes
• Trench pens
• Mini Paddock pens
• Moveable pens
• Free range pens

After making a good environment and snaileries, it’s time to purchase some fresh snails from market or any existing snail farm in your area.

According to some experts, ‘getting snails directly from the wild will result good production, instead of purchasing from market’.

Because the wild snails can easily adapt themselves with the new environment than the farm raised snails. There are many different ways for collecting wild snails.

Feeding the snails with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of snail farming business. Because, good food ensure good growth and also good health of the snails.

Snails generally eat fruits, green leaves, vegetables etc. You can feed your snails with easily available materials such as cabbage , cassava leaves, cocoyam, eggplant leaves, lettuce leaves, pawpaw leaves, okra leaves etc.

You can also feed your snails with banana, cucumber , eggplant, mango, pears, oil palm fruits, pawpaw, tomatoes etc.

Snails are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and will produce fertile eggs.

Most of the snail breeders allow their snails to mate with one another on their own. If you can keep your snails in ideal conditions, then breeding will occur at higher rates and have more success.

Caring & Other Management

Taking good care of your snails is very important for successful snail farming business. Good caring not only helps the snails to grow better, but also help them to stay free from health problems.

Maintain a hygienic environment for preventing the spread of diseases. Maintaining a hygienic environment will also help to improve the health and growth rate of the snails.

Always try to provide your snails with fresh food. And remove the leftovers on a regular basis. Adding earthworms to the soil is a great way to keep the soil clean.

In high density condition, the snails may be infected by parasites, nematodes, trematodes, fungi and micro arthropods.

Try to prevent all types of harmful predators. Rats, mice, moles, skunks, weasels and birds the main predators of snails.

Snails generally grow very fast. They become mature when a lip forms at the opening of their shell. Their shells are more easily broken, before they mature (making them undesirable).

Keep the fastest, largest and healthy snails for next generation breeders. This is generally around 5% of the harvest, and send the remaining snails for sale.

Snail eggs may also be harvested and processed to produce snail caviar. Special breeding units are required for easy harvesting of the eggs.

You have to set your marketing strategies before starting this business. Because if you can’t market your products easily, then you will not be able to make good profits.

Although, snails and snail products have an established market. It has good demand and value in the international market.

Western word and some African countries are the main consumer of snail. You can also contact with some companies who export snail products to the major consuming countries.

These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful snail farming business. It’s very easy to maintain a profitable business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!

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2 thoughts on “snail farming”.

how I can buy the initial live snails for farming – can you give me contacts of potential suppliers. Thank you. Sergey MOSIN

please what is the quantity of snail in a 4×4 movable wooden pen?

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Sample Snail Farming Business Plan

• April 2, 2023

SNAIL FARMING BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE

Snailery is one of the most neglected and yet one of the post profitable animal rearing business anywhere in the country. It provides one of the finest opportunity to make good money at a very short time. But why are some people not yet fully engaged in snail farming?

The reason is ignorance.

Most people still have the believe that snail can only be picked in the bush. The culture of going to the bush to pick snails in the villages during raining time has been there for generations. So, it has been difficult for people to come to term that snail can actually be kept and grown at home.

Just like in many other aspects of farming in the country, Africans are yet to discover the great money making potential in snail rearing business and that is why we suffer in hunger and poverty. We neglect where the money is and keep pursuing it where it is not, going from one city to the other looking for one petty trading after another to trade on.

The good new: After reading this article, you will be on your way to starting your own snail business in easy and simple steps.

Guide: Starting a Worm Farm Business Plan

What is Snail: Land snails we wants to talk about belongs to the class of Molluscan, Gastropod. The one popularly known as ‘Congo Meat’ in many parts of Nigeria – Eju, Igbin, etc.. There are so many species of snails but the ones we are looking at here are the ones that are suitable for Snail Farming.

The process of raring snails for commercial purposes is called heliculture. But in this context, we will limit our use of words to snail farming, which is one of the easiest small businesses an individual can engage in to make great profits in a very short period of time.

Snail farming entails just a minimum capital to start with and the profit margin is so high in that the snails, which are egg-laying animals lay a lot of eggs, which if adequate precautions are taken, will transform into more profits. It will even be important to note that snails could be exported to other countries just like some other commodities, as it is a well cherished delicacy in most part of the world.

WHY YOU SHOULD START A SNAIL FARMING BUSINESS

1. SNAILS ARE HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS: Snails have become a very much cherished delicacy among a lot of people across the world. This is due to its high nutritional value. The meat is rich in calcium, phosphorous, selenium and other essential minerals plus vitamins.

2. SNAILS ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEIN: The calories content of snails is quite low as well as low fat content. This has made it more revered among weight watchers and diabetic patients. Its body mass is also made of flesh, which account for the high protein contents.

3. AVAILABILTY OF MARKETS: With the population of Nigeria estimated to the tune of about 180 million people. The market for snails is every much large and will not be so difficult for a farmers to dispose of his produce

4. LOW CAPITAL REQUIREMENT: The capital required to start off a snail farming business is quite low, especially when compared to other agricultural businesses.

SUITABLE SNAIL SPECIES FOR SNAIL FARMING

1. Achatina fulica: This specie of snail is called the East African Land snail or giant African Land snail. Though it is of considerable size, but the smallest of the commercial species of snails.

It has a narrow, pointed shell, which can be twice as long as the width of the snail itself. The snail can grow up to 7 to 9 whorls at full maturity. It has reddish-brown shell with yellowish vertical markings. The colouration varies with the environment anyway.

2. Achatina achatina: The common name for this specie of snail is the Giant Ghana Snail. It is a specie of very large, air-breathing land snail. They are hermaphrodites as with other mollusks i.e. they produce both male and female reproductive organs and they are a very prolific breed of snails.

3. Achatina marginata: The common name for this specie of snail is the Giant West African Land snail. They can live to about 10 year and grow to a maximum size of about 20cm.

Of all these species of snails, the Achatina achatina is the most desirable among commercial snail farmers just for the big giant size. Its origin is from Nigeria to Ghana and then Liberia.

Among these three species, Achatina Achatina is the most desirable for farmers because it grows so big to become the biggest snail species in the world. Achatina Achaina has it’s origin from Nigeria, get to Liberia from Nigeria and then Ghana

Another reason is due to it’s high yield capacity. The other species are very good too but I will focus on Achatina Achatina and Archachatina Marginata in this blog post because, they are easy to find in Nigeria .

Achatina-Achatina is very good for commercialization as well, because of its profitability. This is because of the volume of eggs it lays at once. Each achatina lays 300 to 500 eggs at a time in clutches, three times a year. Therefore, if you start a farm with about 1000 snails, in one year you would be getting about 1.5 million snails going by the number of eggs they produces.

SETTING UP A SNAIL FARM

Having decided on the specie, let’s take you through the step by step how to setup your snail farm in a small scale level and starts rearing your snail towards harvest.1. Snail Farming Environment – Snails are easily dehydrated, and wind increase the rate of moisture loose in snail which in turn, leads to the dryness of the animal.

To prevent snails from losing water so quickly, your snailery (the snail pen construction) must be located in environment that is protected from wind.

A low plain, downhill site surrounded with enough trees is perfect for snail farming. You may plant plantains and bananas around your snail farm to prevent the impact of wind.2. Type of Soil For Snail Farm – Snail’s major habitat is the soil, and soil contains some of the components and chemical substances that it needed to survive.

However, not all soils are suitable for snail rearing. The shell of the snail is mainly calcium and it derive most of them from the soil. Snail also lay it’s eggs on the soil and drink water out of the soil.

Hence, the suitable soil for snail farming must contain these elements.  Must be balanced, not waterlogged, not too dry, and must not be acidic. The most desirable soil for snail is sandy-loamy soil with low water holding capacity.

Clayey soil and acidic soil must be avoided.3. Getting The Sails For Farming – To start up a snail farm, it is advisable to get snails directly from the forest instead of buying from the market after they have been exposed to sunlight and have dehydrated. This is because snails drink a lot of water, so are easily dehydrated and this stresses them out, and reduce their fertility capacity.

The intending snail farmer could pick the snails from the bush with a very simple technique; clear a little portion of land during rainy season and sprinkle spicy fruits like pineapple, pawpaw, plantain, banana etc at about 5o’clock in the evening, when you go back there about 7pm or 8pm, you will pick up snails suitable for rearing. Repeat the procedure until you get enough quantity.

Another way could be to pick up snail eggs littered in the market place where it is sold and through a technique, check the fertility of the eggs, because some of them must have lost fertility due to the exposure to sunlight. The eggs are later put inside a container containing wet sand and covered with cocoyam leaf. Between 21 to 28 days, the eggs would hatch into baby snails. You start feeding them and gradually you raise a snail farm.”4. The Snail House (Snailery) – Snaileries can vary from a patch of fence-protected ground, sheltered from the wind to a covered box if you are breeding in small scale.

For larger population of snails, you can dug a trench or make a concrete pen with soil deep of about 10 inches, and cover it with screen or wire all around to prevent the snails from escaping. Remember that snails can reproduce fast and become pests when their breeding is uncontrolled.

Snails love dark and cold places, but make sure the humidity does not drop to levels harmful to the snails. You can use fresh leaves and cloth that is regularly wet to regulate the temperature.

Also, the wire is useful in keeping away rats and snakes or other predators from eating the snails in your snail farm.

But aside from these bigger predators, you should be wary about smaller ones like ants and termites. Your construction must have these predators in mind.5. Snails Foods and Feeding – Snails especially Achatina mainly feeds on green leaves and fruits though they can utilize other ranges of foods. Feed your snails leaves, fruits, or even formula from the feed store.

Aside from food to grow tissues, snails need calcium to grow shells.Leaves: Cocoyam leaves, pawpaw leaves, okra leaves, cassava leaves, eggplant leaves, cabbage and lettuce leaves.Fruits: Mango, eggplant, pawpaw, banana, tomatoes, oil palm fruits, pears. and cucumber.

Once they start growing, separate the big ones from the small ones. It take more than a year for the Achatina type to grow to harvest size. Others mature in two years.

1. GETTING A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT: The most suitable environment for snail rearing is a moisture filled environment. Snails are easily dehydrated, so they need a so much wet environment to keep cool and hydrated.

2. SOIL: The best soil for snail production is the sandy-loamy soil which is devoid of laterite or mud, which might lead to a water logged snail environment. The soil used should also be rich in some minerals, most especially calcium, which is a major component of the snail shells.

3. SNAIL PROCUREMENT:  The best way to source for snails is in the wild. This is much more preferable to buying in the markets just for the fact that the gene pool of the wild snails are still full and will make them a very good specimens for breeding.

4. THE SNAIL HOUSE: Concrete pens can be constructed for snails with soils up to about 10 inches in depth. The pens could be covered with wire meshes to prevent escape of the snails.

5. FEEDING: Snails most feed on green leaves and fruits though they can choose from a variety of different foods. It also best to feed them with concentrate feeds specially formulated to meet their nutrients requirements.

6. MARKETING:  A commercial value snail will grow to full maturity in less than a year. It can even be harvested for marketing after 8 months if adequate feeding is applied. A matured snail will sell for close to N500 depending on the size and the cost of breeding a snail from hatching to maturity will not be more than N150, giving a profit margin of close to N350/snail which if multiplied by the large number of snails harvested, will yield a very wide profit margin for the farmer.

One million snails after a year or two sold at the rate of N50 each (highly reduced price) will give about N50 million! Isn’t that a good investment?

Apart from only selling your snails,snails are of high demand in the international market. There a people making millions every month exporting snails. Countries like France,America,Italy ,China etc are importers of snails because they really cherish the nutrient content of the animal.

So starting a snail farming business today will be very good,because if you do it well you will be sure of reaping your millions in the near future and it will be consistent.

Remember the bigger the snail farm,the larger the Income.

SNAIL FARMING BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Here is a sample business plan for starting a snail farm.

The snail farming business is one that does not require a huge startup capital. Basically, the business is concerned with the rearing of snails, and sometimes includes the selling of packaged snail products.

Well, we have below a snail farming business plan sample.

BUSINESS NAME: Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd.

• Executive Summary
• Our Products and Services
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Business Structure
• Sales and Marketing Strategy
• Market Analysis
• Financial Plan
• Sales Forecast

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd is a business that is fully registered and has been given license to operate in the inner-city Alabama, United States. The business will be owned by the Johnsons, and it will be concerned with the rearing and selling of live snails, and the selling of packaged snail products. The main aim of the business is to make profits. Our vision is to become the outright trendsetters in the industry.

To start up, we will require a total of $220,000; which we will raise from our huge investments and savings, and from contributions from supportive friends.

OUR PRODUCTS

Our business, Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd, is a snail farming business in the agricultural livestock industry that will be fully concerned with making profits in the industry. In light of this, we will focus on snail rearing and the processing and packaging of snail meat for consumption in the United States, Africa, and Asia.

Our snail farming business will not be restricted to the United States alone; we will go global and reach far countries in Africa. All of our business dealings will not be carried out outside the laws of Alabama, and the United States.

VISION STATEMENT

Our major business vision at Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd is simply to be the outright leader and trendsetter in the snail farming subset industry. We will not only be the outright leaders and trendsetters in Alabama, United States; but equally the outright leaders and pacesetters in the industry in all of the North American region and even beyond. We will make sure to achieve this business vision within our first five (5) years of doing business.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is simple and clear cut. At Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd, we will be so concerned with satisfying our local and international customers by providing healthy, quality and nutritious snails and snail products in large quantities. Our snail farming business will become the trendsetter in the industry in the North American region.

SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

In the course of shooting our business among the leading snail farming businesses in North American region, we have devised several strategies to market and advertise our business and its products. Here are some of the strategies:

• We will start off by encouraging our employees and customers to spread the word out to others.
• We will make use of flyers, and place our business on business magazines, and newspapers.
• We will also advertise our business and products on radio and television stations.
• Our technical experts will establish a functional website that will be very user-friendly to allow our customers access to our business and products.
• We will utilize the social media platforms such as Facebook, linkedIn, and Instatgram.
• We will install our business billboards on various catchy locations.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE

We are well aware that the success of a business lies on the shoulders of a great business structure. Having this in mind, we will make sure we not only employ the required number of employees to fill in the various positions, but we will make sure quality, competent, honest, hardworking, and motivated candidates only are employed to fill these positions.

Also, because we want to shoot our business straight to the top of the industry in no distant time, we will make sure prospective employees or candidates who possess quality years of experience in their respective positions are selected. The following key positions will be filled:

• Snail Farm Manager
• Sales and Marketing officers
• Field Employees

MARKET ANALYSIS Market Trends

The common trend you will observe in the United States is that Americans do not eat snail meat. The only people you will find in the United States who eat meat are the people from African countries.  This is why people who are into the snail farming business majorly target the intercontinental hotels, especially the ones that have snail meat in their cuisine.

Another trend in the industry is the fact that people who are in the snail farming business ensure they particularly utilize the health benefits of snail meat as an advantage in marketing the snail meat and products. Some of the health benefits of snails include fight against cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. It is also suitable for people who are trying to lose weight because of its low fat and calorific value.

Target Market

We will especially target the following groups:

• African and Asian communities in the United States
• People who are trying to lose weight.
• People who are on recovery from critical illnesses and injuries; cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• Hotels that serve intercontinental dishes, having snail meat in their cuisine.

FINANCIAL PLAN Source of startup capital

We will require a mean sum of $250,000 for us to be able to successfully launch our business. We will raise this sum from our savings, and investments, and the other part from our very close and supportive friends.

We have already raised at least $150,000; which we hope to increase to $220,000. The last part of the startup capital which makes up $30,000 will be borrowed from our very close friends, the Joneses and the Petersons.

SALES FORECAST

The sales projection below is the sales forecast of Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd for the following three years after start up:

Year One                    $250,500 Year Two                   $520,000 Year Three                 $670,000

However, several factors could positively or negatively affect this sales projection.

Here is a free snail farming business plan download pdf.

This snail farming business, “Louis Johnson & Family Farms Ltd”, will be located in the inner-city of Alabama, United States. It will be owned and run by Louis Johnson and his wife and two sons. The business will be focused entirely on snail rearing and production of snail products for consumer consumption.

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How To Make Money Farming 5 Acres

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Grow Your Profits Slowly but Surely: The 10-Step Guide to Starting a Lucrative Snail Farm Business

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1. Brainstorm the idea. Before you kickstart your snail farm enterprise, the preliminary step is to conceptualize your business idea – and determine exactly what it is you want to achieve using snails. Think about why you might want to raise snails, how you will do it, and how much you might need to get up and running.

2. Develop a business plan. It is always a good idea to get your ideas onto paper. When you create your snail farm business plan, decide the details like how much it will cost, the growth potential, how it will be executed, and the end goal.

3. Calculate the financial model. Estimate how much you will need to invest in the startup and the operational costs, then look at the profits earned at each step of the way. This will give you an idea of what you’ll need to acquire to safely launch the snail farm.

4. Identify the need for funding. Once you are clear on the monetary targets needed to start your snail farm business, you can identify the resources needed to get funding – for example, a crowdfunding platform or from investors.

5. Apply for necessary permits & licenses. Obtaining permits will depend on the region you plan to launch the snail farm business in – look at the registration process for any business that you start.

6. Secure land and infrastructure. Finding the right place for the snail farm is key to success. Look for areas with the appropriate climate and environment for a snail farm.

7. Set up snail farm. Establish the enclosure, buy necessary equipment, supplies, and technology, then purchase the snails, feed, and other ingredients and keep them healthy.

8. Hire employees. The next step is to engage employees, or contract workers, to help you take care of the business and monitor growth.

9. Invest in marketing. Get the word out about your new business, develop a website, create a social media page, and use influencer marketing to attract customers.

10. Monitor progress. Regularly assess the business’s health and evaluate the success of the efforts you’ve put in place. This will help you see which strategies need to be changed or improved.

1. Brainstorm The Idea

Starting a snail farm business can be quite the lucrative venture if done right. If you are keen to venture into this business, the first step is to brainstorm the idea seriously. There are several things to consider like the need for an educated workforce, the capital requirements, the local market potential, and the running costs associated. Let’s look at some of the key things to consider while doing the brainstorm.

• Location: To start a snail farm you need somewhere with a suitable climate, temperature and humidity for snail growth. Consider the location carefully, the cost of land in that area, the market potential, and the ability to meet your export targets.
• Equipment: To start your snail farming business, you need to assess the machines, tanks, feed mixers, water systems and other equipment you would need in the snail house.
• Staff: To make the most of your business, you need to find the right staff who are knowledgeable about snails and have experience in snail farming to help your business succeed.
• Capital Requirements: Properly assessing the capital cost you need to start your farm is the most important part of startups. Commonly, the start-up cost of a snail farm are low to moderate depending on the production size.

Tips & Tricks

• Research into your chosen area to discover the best time zone for your snail farming business to open.
• Understand how much capital you require to cover start-up costs and any running costs associated.
• Think about the staff you will need and take the time to search for experienced and knowledgeable personnel.

2 Develop A Business Plan

Developing a business plan is vital for a successful business in any field, and for a snail farm is not an exception. The executing stage will be much smoother when you set a strategy on paper and materialize your plans to get a clear vision of what you have to do and what’s needed to achieve your goals.

To create a business plan you should invest time and effort. The allocated time spent in the development of the business plan will be worth the effort and it should include topics such as:

• Marketing & Sales – Study the market, select the farming location, product mix and pricing. Consider the market, the competitors, target customer, determine the marketing strategy and sales, promote your business.
• Operation & Productions – Select the breed, obtain the necessary permits and license. Purchase the needed equipment for the snail farm, plan the production, decide the raw material, energy and water consumption, selection and training of personnel.
• Financial Planning – Estimate the start-up capital need and future expenses. Take into account any related business investments such as the cost of land, construction, labor etc. Calculate the profitability and financial risks, pay taxes, take care of any third-party insurance.

Tips & Tricks:

• Create a financial model to determine the profitability of your project. This can help you raise funds if you have a credible business plan.
• Make sure to take into account all the costs such as Start-up costs, Operation Costs, Financing Costs, Regulatory & Legal Costs, Human Cost and Maintenance Costs.
• Do not forget to include your exit strategy, this will help you to deal with any unexpected circumstances throughout the project.

3. Calculate The Financial Model

Before you start a snail farm business it is important to calculate the financial model which serves as a base guideline to start and run the business. In order to do that, the initial investment, cost of production, cost of supplies, overhead costs etc., should be estimated first. The next step is to figure out the sales and revenue potential of the business. The following three points can help you to calculate the financial model for a snail farm business:

• Estimate The Initial Investment: Estimate the cost of acquiring the land, building a snail farm, purchasing of equipment, and hiring workers. Do research to determine the cost of land, building, and equipment. You also need to factor in the cost of hiring specialists, such as veterinarians, who will take care of your snails.
• Calculate Cost of Production: Estimate the cost of feeding and caring for your snails. This includes cost of feed, housing, medicine, and labour. Additionally, calculate the cost of utilities, such as electricity and water.
• Estimate The Revenue Potential: Estimate the potential revenue based on the demand for snail products. Also, factor in the cost of shipping and delivering the products.

Tips & Tricks to Calculate Financial Model:

• Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to get an accurate estimate of the costs and revenue potential for your business.
• Create a balance sheet to accurately track your expenses, revenue, and profits, and make sure your finances are in order.
• Review your financial model regularly to make sure that you are meeting your budget goals and projections.

4. Identify the Need for Funding

The need for funding a snail farm business will vary depending on the size and scope of the business project. Before starting a snail farm, it is important to consider the costs associated with setup, operation, and running a successful business. This can include the acquisition of land and any resources needed for construction, such as soil, fencing, and water. Depending on the location, there might be costs to obtain the necessary permits or licenses for the operation of the snail farm.

Additionally, it might be necessary to invest in equipment and materials for the operation as well. This can include tanks, feeders, terrariums, and various supplies related to the care of the snails. This will also include the costs related to food for the snails, such as leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. Other costs to consider, when budgeting for a snail farm, are related to the marketing for the business. This will include creating a website and social media presence, as well as advertising and promotional expenses.

Finally, it is important to plan for the ongoing operation of the business. This includes costs related to maintenance of the snail farm, salaries and wages associated with staffing, and other operational costs. Once the setup and operating costs are determined, the total amount for initial investment will be clear. It is important to be aware of the total costs of starting a snail farm business in order to determine whether the business concept is viable and whether additional funding sources are necessary.

Tips & Tricks for Identifying the Need for Funding:

• Be aware of all the setup, operation, and running costs of a snail farm business.
• Evaluate the need for additional funding sources.
• Ensure there is enough capital to cover the ongoing operational and staffing costs.

5. Apply For Necessary Permits & Licenses

Before starting your snail farm, you must apply for the necessary permits and licenses required by the government. Depending on your location, the types of permits and licenses you should apply for may include a business license, a food license, a health and hygiene license, an animal husbandry license, and pesticide application license.

You will also need to check with your local government and relevant local rules and regulations on the allowed types and number of snails you can hold in your farm. This is usually based on the agricultural laws of the respective location.

It is worthwhile to have a legal advisor help you with this process and necessary paperwork as it can be quite cumbersome.

• Ensure the permits and licenses you possess are up to date.
• Research all government regulations concerning the number of snails you can house on site and the forms of operations you can legally perform.
• Visit local government offices to understand all the requirements.

6. Secure Land And Infrastructure

Land is essential for a snail farming venture and must be sought even before the start of the snail farm. Conduct research to identify the best land that is suited to a snail farm. The farm should be situated in a rural area, far away from urban settlements and close to natural water sources.

Interests of the land should be secured in accordance with the legal requirements of the country and its regulations. Erections on boundaries and corners are necessary to make sure the farm is secure. Moreover, make sure to allocate an area for production and an area for rearing and breeding as required.

Infrastructure is another necessary element for a snail farming venture and includes buildings and permanent installations necessary for its success. Employment of quality labor and technicians is a must and must be conducted keeping the government labor laws in mind. Having trained personnel to look after snails and the farm is essential.

Essential infrastructure for a snail farm includes pens, sheds, drainage systems, and feed stores. These must be constructed keeping security, health, and safety in mind. Cleanliness of the farm ensures the snails are healthy and may warrant the use of protective gears that must be provided for workers. Make sure the environment is also kept clean and free from damp and moisture.

• Research the land for the best suit for a snail farm.
• Secure the interests of the land as per legal statute.
• Make sure the environment is kept clean and free from damp and moisture.

7. Set Up Snail Farm

Once you have chosen the location for your snail farm,the type of snail to raise,and have acquired the snails for your farm, it is time to set up the snail farm. Setting up your snail farm requires attention to detail and precise execution to ensure the most optimal outcomes.

• Create the snail paddocks: Snail paddocks are individual units of the snail farm and should be used to contain and divide snails as needed. Snail paddocks are most commonly constructed out of wood, wire mesh, or other similar materials. Size of paddocks is dependent on the species of snails being raised, but typically run around four to five meters in width and ten to twelve meters in length.
• Install the snail house: The snail house should be designed in such a way that provides enough ventilation for the snails, and protection from weather conditions. It should also be easy to clean and maintain. Typically the snail house is built out of brick or concrete.
• Purchase equipment for snail farm: In order for your snail farm to run efficiently, you will need to purchase specialized equipment that is specifically designed for farming snails. This includes items such as snail grooming tools, feeding equipment, and anti-parasite treatments.
• Train workers on best practices: It is important to train your workers on the best practices of snail farming. This includes teaching them how to properly feed snails, groom them, and maintain the health of the snail paddocks. It is also important to provide them with information about any potential risks or dangers associated with handling snails.
• Purchase feed for the snails: Snails will need to be fed a variety of plant-based foods, such as lettuce, spinach, and apples. You can also add kitchen scraps or fresh fruits to their diet. Snails typically like to feed on worms and other small bugs, so you may want to purchase additional feed such as mealworms or waxworms.
• Develop a pest-control strategy: Pest control is an important part of any snail farm. Develop a comprehensive pest-control plan that involves regularly inspecting the snail paddocks for signs of infestations or unusual activities. Be sure to use methods and chemicals that are approved for use around snails.
• Develop a marketing strategy: Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that will allow you to reach potential customers for your snail farm. Identify the target market and create a plan to reach them through traditional and digital marketing tactics.
• Choose your chosen species of snails wisely, as some types of snails grow much faster than other types.
• Creating a brand for your snail farm is essential if you want to stand out from the competition.
• Use social media to connect with potential customers and to market your snail farm.

8. Hire Employees

Once your snail farm is established and the right infrastructure is in place, you need to start looking for human manpower to help run the farm. It’s important to have the right people to make sure your farm is run at optimal performance level.

Here are a few steps that you should take when hiring employees:

• Identify the positions that you need to fill. Evaluate the current level of expertise needed and identify positions you should fill to make the farm efficient and effective.
• Write job descriptions, and post job openings on job boards and social media platforms.
• Have a clearly defined set of qualifications and requirements for the position and mention it in your job descriptions.
• Share the job post, and consider the various options available in terms of skills, salary and job types.
• Conduct interviews to find the right person, who has the skills and expertise to do the job.
• Ensure that all legal requirements and labor laws are met.

By being proactive and taking proactive steps when hiring employees, you can ensure that the right people are working for your snail farm.

• Have a well-defined set of qualifications and expectations for the role.
• Have an effective interviewing process to find the right fit for the job.
• Make sure the candidate has a good understanding of the job requirements and is motivated to perform.

9. Invest In Marketing

As you plan to open/start/launch your snail farm, one key aspect you should not forget is marketing your business. You should not overlook the importance of marketing. Well-planned marketing strategies can set your farm apart from the competitors, and this helps in expanding your customer base.

Below are certain ways in which you can market your snail farm successfully:

• Create attractive flyers/brochures and distribute them in the areas you want to target. Make sure that you have listed all the information about your farm and your services.
• Invest in online marketing tools such as SEO, digital ads, and social media.
• Engage with local and national media to create positive impressions towards your farm.
• Develop a website for your farm and ensure it is optimized for search engines.
• Organize promotional events and invite media personnel and potential customers to the event.

Tips & Tricks for Successful Marketing of Your Snail Farm

• Emphasize on the quality of your products and services to assure customers.
• Partner with other local businesses and agriculture producers to increase the reach of your business.
• Build relationships with customers and keep them up-to-date with your products and services.

10. Monitor Progress

Continuous monitoring of the farm operations is essential for successful running of the business. It is important to have a control over all the activities and take corrective measures as and when required. It is a good idea to have benchmarks or targets for performance that can be tracked and monitored. This will make it easier to track the progress of business. Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPI) can be one tool to measure the performance of the business. It is important to keep track of both, financial and non-financial performances of the business such as:

• Sales/Revenue generated
• Satisfaction levels of customers
• Profits generated
• Cost savings achieved
• Safety and hygiene levels observed
• Employees' retention rate
• Product quality/grade and shelf life
• Processes efficiencies and utilization
• Delivery timelines and incidents

It is recommended to implement farm management management software that can analyse defined parameters on continuous basis. This helps to identify potential risk and other important improvements. It will enable to take proactive decisions. Also, a financial advisor's assistance can be sought to analyze the financial metrics of the business. This will help to take measurable actions to avoid any financial blunders.

• Develop and maintain realistic targets and benchmarks.
• Review and analyze regularly. Take corrective measures on timely basis.
• Stay flexibile, be open to changing benchmarks as the business grows and develops.

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Snail Farming Business Plan, Snail Rearing, Feed Guide

Table of contents, advantages of snails farming, disadvantages of snails farming, suitable climate for raising snails, buying the snails, snail house:, feeding the snails:, rearing density of snails:, maintenance of snail farm:, diseases of snails:, introduction to snail farming business plan:.

Today, let us get into details of  Snail Farming Business Plan , Rearing, Snail Food.

Snails, when cooked seem delicious and hence they are well-known in seafood cultivation.  Because of its taste which is unique and the nutritional value it maintains, they have a huge demand across countries. The meat of the Snail has high protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A. Moreover, the fat content in snails is low.

• Snails are considered as environment-friendly as they do not have a bad odour like animals like pigs, poultry, etc. Droppings from the snails can be used as manure which in turn increases the organic content of the soil. Moreover, as the snails are small in size, they need a very little space and can even be reared at the backyard of the houses.
• Through snail farming, one could get much profit in a short period of time as it has less capital investment involved when compared to other farms or poultry. Other investments such as labour cost, technical costs are low when compared to other types of animal farming such as fish farming, poultry, goats, sheep, and cattle.
• The risk involved in snail farming is less when compared to others as it’s very rare for the snails to get affected by diseases. Even if they get prone to some diseases, one can prevent them by invading the snail pens.
• When coming to the economics of snail farming, the demand of snails seems to be higher than the supply due to which there would be no loss if you start a snail farm.
• The meat of the snail is considered to be the one which is very rich in terms of iron, calcium and protein. This is also low in the content of fat and cholesterol when compared to other sources of protein like poultry and cattle.
• Another important factor of snails is its by-product called as Snail Slime. This plays a major role in the pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing industries, manufacturing and fisheries.
• The snail is a commodity which is mostly used for export rather than import. In this generation, snails can be considered as the ones which earn foreign exchange.
• As the feeds for snails are readily available, the snail farms can be run at a low cost within less time.
• Through snail farming, one cannot make money quickly as the snails are the animals which grow very slowly. Moreover, the meat of the snail which can be consumed is only 41% of the total weight of the snail.
• There would be no chance to grow snails by using artificial methods of climate control. The snails must be grown in the humid tropical forest zone, which has a constant temperature, high relative humidity, no dry season, and a constant day/night rhythm throughout the year.
• Snail meat is not preferred by a few countries due to some cultural reasons. Few reasons include religious inclination too.
• The snails which have escaped from its farm are a serious threat to agriculture as they rapidly develop into a serious pest which causes damage to the plants leading to economic damage. Hence it is mandatory to treat snail farming as a diversified venture.

Read: Indoor Aquaculture, Fish Farming Methods .

• As the snails get dehydrated easily, there would be dryness in snails due to moisture loss. This can be prevented by choosing an environment which is wind protected for growing snails. The area which has a large number of trees in it will serve well for the growth of snails or snail farming.

Suitable soil for Snail Farming

• The soil is the main habitat of a snail. For successful snail farming, the soil of the selected area of cultivation needs to have the appropriate components for the growth of the snails. Hence, there would be specific soil types to choose for snail farming.
• For this reason, all types of soil are not suitable for commercial snail farming. As the shell of the snail mostly consists of calcium, they absorb most of the calcium from the soil.
• Starting from drinking of water to laying of eggs, everything would be carried on soil for the snails. Hence, for snail farming to be successful, it is must, to select a suitable area which has all the necessary facilities for the snails to grow up.
• Though all the necessary elements are provided to the snails by maintaining an appropriate soil, it is very much important to maintain the balance. You need to make sure that the soil never gets waterlogged or dry. It is important to see that the soil is not acidic in nature.
• Never let the soil become waterlogged, too dry and the soil will not be acidic or clayey. The soil, which is sandy-loam with low water holding capacity is preferred for snail farming.
• After selecting a suitable atmosphere and site, the first and most important step you be taking in snail farming is buying them.
• You can buy snails from markets or nearby snail farms.
• It is always suggested to get snails from forest rather than buying them from the market. It is so because the snails which are grown in the forest have high adaptation to the new environment rather than the snails which are raised in farms and brought to market.
• If you are unable to get snails from the forest, you can collect them from the bush by using a simple method. At the time of the rainy season, clear a small portion of land and spread fruits like banana, papaya, pineapple etc. Repeat it another time after 3 hours. Now you would find snails gathered near the fruits. Collect all of them. This process should be repeated until you get a sufficient number of snails required for your snail farm.
• You can also get fresh nails by getting a few snail eggs from the market. But in this method, you need to make sure that the eggs are fresh and did not lose their fertility due to exposure to heavy sunlight. These eggs should be placed in a container which consists of wet sand. Then it needs to be covered with cocoyam leaf. In a span of 28 days, these eggs would hatch into baby snails. These baby snails should be fed with proper care.
• Snailery is an important thing which has to be constructed for snail farming.
• A good snailery is required to keep the snails safe and productive.
• When you are breeding snails in small scale, the snail houses or snaileries can either be a patch of ground which is protected by a fence or a box which is covered to get shelter from the wind.

Construction of snail house

• To construct a snail house, you need to make a concrete pen with soil. This should be of a depth of about 12 inches.
• Now, you need to cover it with screen or wire. This should be done in order to prevent the snails from escaping for larger and commercial production.
• Basically, snails are cold-blooded animals which love to stay in a cold and dark place. But keeping them free from humidity level which is harmful is your responsibility as a farmer.
• To control the temperature, you need to use fresh leaves and cloth that is wet.
• Always make sure that harmful animals like snakes, rats and some other harmful predators are not entering the snailery. Using a wire helps a lot in keeping those animals away. It is required prevent termites and ants as well.

Read: Prawn Aquaculture, Economics, Business Plan .

• Snails eat different varieties of foods like lettuce, weeds, vegetable peelings, and slices of fruits like banana, papaya, pineapple.
• You just need to put the food inside of the habitat and make sure to remove the food once it starts turning into growing mould. It is better to put a tray of distilled water for your snails to drink.
• You can grow leafy vegetables in your snailery in order to feed your snails.
• Few plants which the snails like to be in their snailery are a turnip, hybrid turnip, and dandelion clover.
• If you use tap water, it would be better to boil and cool them before you use it for your snails because the direct tap water contains chemicals which are harmful to the snails.
• The feed which contains waxy or hairy leaves should be avoided.
• The feeds which you offer the snails should contain 20% of protein for optimum development. Fruits and peels are a good source of crude protein.
• If you want your snails to be strong with a good shell development, then you need to give powdered calcium, which is available in the shells of the eggs, limestone, oyster shells (crushed), or bone meal. These should be added up to 15 to 20% of diet dry matter. The shell calcium obtained from the crushed oyster shell is best. Good amount of calcium results in thicker shells of snails.
• Snails are mostly dependent on water. Most of the water should be supplied through the food they consume. The additional water should be supplied in the growing pens by using water soaked sponge or shovel for hatchlings and juveniles, in shallow dishes (for mature and breeding snails).
• Density is one of the factors which affects not only the growth, but also the breeding capacity of the snails. If the snails are growing in high-density population, then they start growing very slowly.
• The adult snails seem to be small and even lay fewer eggs per clutch. If they are reared in high density, there is also a chance for the snails not to breed. The slime which accumulates reduces the reproduction of snails.
• The high density of rearing snails leads to increased rates of parasitism and moreover, the diseases would be transmitted easily among themselves.
• In terms of snail weight, the recommended density is 1-1.7 kg per m2, i.e., it would be 15 snails per square meter. Starting a snail farm with a lower density is recommended by most of the experts. The number of snails can be increased when the farmer or the grower becomes familiar with the habitats of the snail.
• The soil in the snailery has to be changed for every three months because the chemical composition of your soil changes as the time increases.
• Moreover, the soil in the snailery will develop faeces and mucus released from your snails. Because of this, it would be better to change the soil every three months. This would also keep your nails healthy.
• To change the soil, you need to transfer the snails to a temporary habitat from the original one by using a shovel.
• Use a spray bottle to wet the soil of your snailery. Water your snail farm in the evening or in the early morning, mainly when the temperature is cool. If your water is done when the temperature is hot, there is a chance of snails to get attracted by water and killed by the direct sunlight
• If you are snail farm is located in an open area, you will have to add water only if there is no rain for many days.
• It is important to pull the weeds and grass in your snailery as they will disturb the growth of leafy greens which you plant. Removal of the weeds should be done with utmost care.
• The main disease that the snails are prone to be a fungal disease which is spread through physical contact by the snails. This happens when the snails lick slime from each other’s bodies.
• There are two major diseases affecting the snails. The first one is a disease caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas which leads to infections in the intestine of the snail. This also spreads quickly among the snails.
• The second one is caused by a fungus called Fusarium. This fungus when parasitises the eggs of Helix aspersa, the eggs which are affected will turn reddish-brown in colour and hence, the development in the snail stops with this. This disease is usually termed as ‘rosy eggs disease’.
• These diseases can be prevented by providing basic hygiene to the snails.
• The snaileries should be cleaned on a regular basis in order to remove excreta and uneaten food. The decaying matter which acts as a substrate for pathogenic organisms should also be removed from the snailery.
• Sterilizing the soil in hutch boxes is also advisable. This is done by steaming or heating the soil every time, whenever they are getting prepared for a new batch of egg clutches.

Read: Raising Free Range Chickens .

10 COMMENTS

hello, the article about snail farming is very interesting, can you please provide more information on it and also about any farmers practicing it

I am from ghana, who s interested in snail farming. I need more information to start the business

Just simple as that

Hi, can I get information about how to market snails, and how much should I grow if I have Export them. Any contacts..

Dear Sir, I am really interested in Snail farming in large quantity, how can i get detail documentary including video to guide me as well as training.

How can I get loan to start my snail business newly.

Sir i want to do snail farming business how I can do

Snail farming is really good,I wish to start mine.

Thank you so much Sir for this great piece. I’m greatly inspired and have acquired accurate knowledge on snails farming.

I need help with a snail business plan to rise fund for my snail business

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Ultimate Guide to Natural Vegetable Farming

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How to Start Snail Farming Business in 7 Steps

• March 24, 2023
• by Editorial Team

Do you want to start snail farming on a small scale? If so, find here a detailed business plan guide on the basic steps you need to follow while starting and running a snail farming business.

Snail farming business opportunity demands discipline and specific knowledge of modern technology. Snail farming is the process of raising land snails specifically for human consumption. It has a high rate of protein, iron, low fat, and almost all the amino acids that are needed for the human body. Snails are considered a healthy and tasty source of nutrition. The demand is increasing day by day globally.

Here are the 7 Steps to Start a Snail Farming Business

1. why snail farming is it profitable.

The profit margin is extremely high in commercial snail farming. The demand for snails both in the domestic and export markets is higher than supplies. Every part of the snail is useful. Apart from food, there is a usage of snails in the pharmaceutical industry and fishing industries. Modern upgraded technology is available for snail farming and one can generate more profit in a year.

2. Do Market Research

Before starting snail farming, it is important to understand the market around your locality as well as the export potential. Talk to the nearby people associated with this industry and develop a market research report. This will be a very important tool while creating a business plan for your project.

3. Write a Business Plan

If you are interested in running a profitable and successful snail farming business, it is extremely critical to have a business plan document at your hand. Take some time off and start writing the business plan. Check this guide on how to write a business plan or you can take help from a business plan software .

4. Select Location

When you are selecting a location for your snail farming business, the most important factor to consider is the land. It should be plain land containing 20-40% organic matter and suitable for plants to grow. It is advisable that soil should be friable soil with a PH balance of 5.8 to 7.5 and containing calcium.

You will need to have a light soil structure and should avoid clay-type soil for the snail farming business. Good soil facilitates snail growth and provides some of their nutrition. Your snailery must be escape-proof and effective against predators and it allows easy entrée to the trend snails. You must consider some termite-resistant timber in building the snailery.

5. Learn the Process of Snail Farming

Before starting the snail farming business you will need to have sufficient knowledge and skill about the modern technology of snail farming.

In countries like Nigeria, the United States, and India there are agriculture associations and universities providing training on snail farming. Attend those workshops or you can go to some government farm to get practical knowledge.

To make your snail farming business a successful venture it is important to know every financial; aspect of this business, especially the start-up cost, return, and payback.

6. What You Need to Have to Start a Snail Farm

You will need to have some equipment on your farm. Those are hutch boxes, trench pens, free-range pens, mini paddock pens, movable pens, small weighing machines, thermometers, etc. Gather these supplies from reliable sources.

Concentrate on the species of snail that you are going to cultivate. The most recommended snail species is Achatina Achatina. It has a high production capacity and it can lay eggs up to 500 pieces at once and also it laid eggs three times a year. You will need to source snail eggs from reliable and certified suppliers.

Most snails are vegetarians and they accept many different kinds of feed like green leaves, fruits, tubers, and flowers. Besides these, you can provide nutrition-rich mixed feed to enhance the growth of the snails.

Give your farm a hygienic environment so that you can protect snails from diseases. Get proper insurance for your snail farming business to get compensation for any loss and damages.

7. Market Your Snail Farming Produce

You can sell mature snails in the local market. You can also contact local food retailers, hotels, restaurants, stores, supermarkets, and institutions and supply them. There is a very good export market for snails. Europe, France, the US, Japan, and Korea are the biggest importer of snails.

Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.

Snail Farming Business Plan

There is a thousand years old history of people eating snails due to their nutritious value. They are rich in proteins, iron, and water and low in Fats. Their consumption is evident in a number of countries across the world. Countries known for eating and cultivating snails are France, the U.S., Turkey, China, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, and a few African countries. French use Snails for cooking and is a part of a delicate tradition.

Humans eat snails for the reason of them being delicious and as a main course or for a starter.

Commercial Snail Farming has emerged from Globalization and through the French tradition of eating snails. Snail farming is constantly growing. The escargot business is a very lucrative venture for the practitioner’s snail farmers. The business can encompass the rearing, wholesaling, or retailing of snails to customers and end-users.

How to set up a snail farm?

Well, the most important part is to have agri land (purchase or rented) to create sheds and buy the snails and then breed them. The equipment needed to farm snails includes outdoor pens or indoor plastic tunnels for breeding.  Ireland has the right weather conditions to start this business.

Contact us to get the best Business Plan for your Snail Business. We already develop many business plans for Snail farming.

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This is a comprehensive guide on how to start a profitable snail farming business in Nigeria, the A-Z with in-depth details from experience, I just made these huge resources to encourage young Africans even beyond Nigeria on how you can tap into this underexplored niche to earn more revenue in dollars through snail exportation business

I bet you are wondering if snail farming is very profitable given the time period it takes for snails to mature from growers stage to jumbo size or Point of lay (POL)

This post covers everything you need to know about the snail farming business from start to finish, so I am not writing for experts, it is meant to guide inexperience, amateur and intending snail farmers plus if you would love to learn how to start a backyard snail farming business even in limited space,

Also in this article resources, I will walk you through the process of constructing your snail pen, it’s very important, most times it affects the way and manner they eat or grow, how you can use locally available materials in your vicinity to fabricate your own style of snail pen or hutch the will be effective in protecting and providing the needed environment for egg layer and weight gain

Here are should some frequently asked questions every newbie into snail farming always asks:

These are questions you will get the in-depth answer to as you read on

Introduction to Snail farming business

Now let start by understanding what your intentions towards rearing snails are, ok, you wish to multiple your snails within the shortest allowable time through the hatching of their eggs, groom, feed, and then sell them for profit right? then you are on the track.

Before you can start this business, there are certain factors you must consider especially in your vicinity, for the smooth running of the business, these factors are

Availability of space: you need to settle the space requirement if you intend to go into large scale production of snails, without much space you are left with the option of the intensive system using cages and hutches which will not be compared to a free-range or greenhouse system where the snail is free to roam about and can multiple in large proportion,

Capital: for starters , if you have other main businesses you are into, you could start with backyard pens or hutches then move to bigger spaces when productivity increases, your capital will determine which system of rearing you will embark on.

Access to Market : it’s very crucial to seek how snail demand and supply is run in your area, even though you can still supply across the country or export it, however, my principal advice is, to have one or two active snail sellers in your neighborhood market, this makes you have a readily available market to dispose of your table size snails immediately they are matured

Snail Feeds: despite snails can feed on almost everything consumable by humans except salty foods, if you are to start commercially, one thing you should seek out is where to get fruits or vegetables, you can achieve this by reaching out to the fruits sellers for their damaged or leftovers because fruits like pawpaw, cabbage, okra, watermelon, banana are snail favorites

Species of Snail Good for Commercial Farming

Snail farming is beyond stocking the point of lay (POL), it is one of the highest paying businesses in the agricultural sector, to succeed we must know the family of snails we rear in Africa and study their way of life.

Helicidae species are majorly reared in Europe and America. Two subspecies of this snail are very famous among the others. I) Helix aspersa ( Garden snai l) II) Helix Pomatia. (Burgundy snail – Wikipedia)

These snails are garden snails, they accumulate up to 30g of body weight at maturity, they live their life on the plant surface, feeding on grasses, vegetables, and fruits, most of them are considered invasive because of how fast they can reproduce and eat up green vegetables

the achatinidae, This group is made up of two types of snails. 1) Forest snails. 2) Garden snails.

Commonly reared in Africa, they are called Africa Giant land snails. Four of the subspecies are very famous among others.

• Achatina Fulica
• Limicolaria
• Achatina Achatina (AA)
• Achatina Marginata (AM)

Achatinas are forest snails, they hide under plants from sunlight, wind, heat, and feed on dead and live plants, fruits, dead animals and extract calcium from the soil, but LIMICOLARIA and ACHATINA FULICA are Garden snails.

Just like helix aspersa or Pumatia, achatinidae garden Snails lives on plants and can lay fertile eggs without mating. They produce more slime and are smaller in size than Forest Snails.

They lay more than 100 – 400 eggs per clutch in a cycle and have more Laying circles than Forest Snails. They can be found in Northern Nigeria because they have the capacity to withstand high temperatures.

• Some notable features of Fulica and Limicolaria
• They can survive direct sunlight and wind without dehydrating.
• They can be fed to catfish after washing…
• They are the best for slime extraction…

Many snail farmers conclude them to be AA as they have the same shell formation but color difference. One funny thing about them is, eggs laid at the last quarter of the rainy season can hatch the next rainy season.

Let’s study them one after the other at least to give you a brief insight into your newfound heliculture venture ( that’s right, snail farming is called heliculture).

Limicolaria .

It lays 50 eggs and above per batch and can regulate it four to seven times a year. It has the same shell formation and color as ACHATINA FULICA.

It’s not advisable to rear this for meat production. Its most times are seen as a pest in the farm or garden

Achatina Achatina (AA).

It is indigenous to countries like Ghana, Benin Republic, and Togo, etc, the AA is popularly referred to as Ghana tiger snail because it is majorly found in Ghana.

The extra jumbo size and the designs on the shell it has the yellowish and darkish spine on the shell which has close similarity with a tiger color. AA has a very pointed tail just like AF, it usually has six or more ring rounds curved on the shell.

The eggs are the same size as AF eggs and they grow slower compared to AM. it can grow big in the long run, it is not good for business in Nigeria. It lays between 100 eggs to 200 eggs per batch and can regulate this batch 3 to 6 times a year.

If you must farm AA please start with 20 pieces, experience they say is the best teacher. Nigeria’s climate is not favorable for this particular species of snail.

Archachatina Marginata (AM).

It is called the big black snail or giant snail, it is commonly found in the forest along the coastline of West Africa, this is one of the most common found snails in Nigeria amidst ACHATINA FULICA, the shell has a mottled color of black, brown, white, pink, and very thick.

The skin color is dark grey, some breeds of white skin are found in some areas usually called albino snails. They are 11 to 19cm at maturity and can weigh between 300 to 9 to 500g or more. They grow to full size in their natural habitats from 12 to 14 months or more. The shell is less pointed than the ACHATINA ACHATINA species.

Archachatina Marginata is not a snail but a subfamily of achatinidae with over seven subspecies.

• Archachatina Marginata CAMERUNENSIS
• Archachatina Marginata EDUARDO
• Archachatina Marginata CANDEFACTA
• Archachatina Marginata GREVILLEI
• Archachatina Marginata ICTERICA
• Archachatina Marginata SUTURALIS
• Archachatina Marginata OVUM.

Yes, I know you are surprised about all these subspecies I listed above right? Because the majority of snail Farmers only know and talk about two among the seven, the Sauralis and the Ovum’s, it doesn’t mean the other five have gone extinct.

Let’s focus on the two popular Marginata’s, the Ovum and Saturalis because they are very fast growing and great for meat production,

Archachatina marginata Suturalis (AMS).

AMS is very common in swampy regions but that doesn’t make it a water snail, it is easily found in Delta State and the Eastern part of Nigeria. It lays five (5) to ten(10) eggs per clutch and can regulate this batch three (3) to eight (8) times in good environmental conditions throughout the year.

It is very slow in growth compared to Achatina Marginata Ovum, it doesn’t have strong international market value, and it can take up to five (5) years to grow to jumbo size, wow that’s a whole lot of time if you ask me!

We have two types of suturalis : Swap suturalis and land suturalis. Land suturalis grow faster than swamp suturalis but are not comparable to Ovum both have the same egg-laying capacity.

Archachatina marginata Ovum (AMO).

Many farmers consider it a hybrid snail because

• it can out-grow other snails and accumulate more weight in a very short space of time. ( exactly why you should pick this type)
• It has the highest international market value and can grow to jumbo size within two years
• It lays between five (5) to ten(10) eggs per clutch and can regulate this batch three to five times a year

Two Main purposes of Rearing Snails

Just like in Poultry Production, some birds are kept for meat or egg purposes however in snail farming you are either rearing for slime production or meat production, slime production is a highly untapped sector in snail farms because people are yet to understand how it’s done, the snail slimes are used by big tech pharmaceutical companies in making body creams, various cosmetics, and drugs

While in meat production which is the most common practice of all snail farmers snails are raised for consumption purposes, it’s up to you to decide which area to focus on, the interest will determine which species of snail to raise I put it out in two summaries below

For meat production ; AMO ( Achatina Marginata Ovum) For slime extraction; AF ( Achatina Fulica)

Now I am pretty sure you have known more than enough about snails and you are ready to go into the snail farming business right? Then welcome, but what next?

There are certain steps and farm management practices you must practice to be very successful, First, you need to set up their housing units,

The Snail Housing system differs but it’s not rocket science to set up, It all lies in your capacity, you can rear snail in any place even inside your living rooms lol a surprise? Don’t be, snail house can be an empty plastic container of paints to baskets, etc,

For clarity and productivity, the best places to raise snails are in cool and shaded areas, in your back yard, free from direct sun rays, in your gardens, few people often raise snails using car tires if you have the desire to grow more than 50 snails or more, then small enclosures won’t be very productive, you can construct cages, hutches or use the greenhouse system whereby the snails are major kept together with green gardens but on a secured free-range system,

After you have gotten ready the snail pen, it’s time to prepare the housing environment to be conducive for them. There are two ways you can utilize to get the house ready, The soilless system of raising snail or utilization of soil,

The soilless system can only be applicable in the intensive system which requires lots of care and attention but it’s also productive, as a professional and researcher in snail farming, I will recommend the system for slime production and snail hatchlings ( snail babies because they are delicate and can die easily in any slight changes of the environmental condition

The soilless system is great but one disadvantage of it, whenever the snails are left for a long time without adequate moisture they die out, you must ensure you moisten their pen daily and will provide lots of plantain leaves to retain the moist humid micro atmosphere in their pen, this is why their house must be under a shade or in a room, under trees to regulate the temperature of the house,

High temperature is bad for snail business because it increases mortality (death rate) its cool to consider the saturalis love a swampy humid environment, but the Ovum is better with soil moisture less than 50, they can also tolerate a slight increase in high temperature, unlike Saturalis, Fulica’s and the AA’s The best kind of soil for snail farming is Loamy soil.

Loamy soil is any soil that can conveniently support the growth of vegetables. But for a more in-depth explanation, the soil texture should not be coarsely mixed with stone, it shouldn’t be mashy too like the clay soul which tend to be waterlogged, the soil should be dark, riched in organic matter, ( Here is how to convert a soil to loamy soil )

After getting the loamy soil you need to treat the soil to prevent diseases or larvas of ants, flies which are normally laid in riched loamy soil to hatch and eat up your snail

Soil Preparation for the Snail Pen

For an intensive system of raising the snails, you need to treat your soil in order to reduce the chances of contaminating your pen with other dangerous pests or insects, larvas of other organisms which can eat of your snails

How to feed your snails

Feeding plays a significant role in the life of every animal. Land snails are a large group of pulmonates belonging to the class Gastropoda of the phylum Mollusca. Like other nocturnal animals, snails are mostly active during the night, i.e. to say their reproduction, feeding, and other behavioral activities are at their peak at night. Time of feeding has a significant effect on the growth of land snails and some other fauna resources. Land snails are nocturnal animals, so photoperiods have a significant regulatory role on invertebrates. Which have been exploited to adapt to life on land like the vertebrae species. Snails feed at night and dusk when there is rain or if the sky is overcast, subsisting on both fresh and decomposing plant materials.

Snails feed usually at night and their most preferred diets include; unripe pawpaw fruits, chaff from fermented milled maize, they show a distinct preference for moist feed such as snail feed, powdered shells which are moistened with water before being offered to them. Feeding activity in snails depends on the weather because they prefer juicy fruits, leaves, and vegetables to dry ones. In most Snail farms, they are usually fed at different times depending on the preferred time of the Farmer.

The habit or behavior of snails feeding at night is adaptive in nature as it protects snails from dehydration and possible predators that are usually available during the day.

Presenting feed to Snails at night enhances their feed intake and growth, more so, Snails fed at night consume more feed than snails fed in the morning as the feed is still fresh and attractive to the snails. Also, snails fed at 6 pm and 8 pm have more nutrient intake than snails fed at other times, this is because they eat more feed as they are fed at their preferred time.

Now it must be noted that snail feed is grounded in the different classes of feed that are required for Snails. it is not wise to have your snails fed with only one or two particular classes of feed, there must be a ratio of feed that presents the different classes of feed to your snails

Feeds and Sources of Snail Foods

Feeding activity for snails depends on the weather, and snails may not necessarily eat every day. Wet seasons or irrigation encourage feeding since the moisture makes it easier for the snails to move about. Snails are nocturnal animals. This means that they are primarily active at night, they look for food during the night or in the very early morning hours. When looking for food, they use their powerful sense of smell.

Snails are vegetarian and they can eat a wide variety of foods: vegetables, fungi, tubers, algae, and fruits form part of the essential food for snails. Young snails can eat about twice as much feed as mature snails, and they prefer soft leaves and shoots.

How does snails feed?.

The mouth of terrestrial snails is unknown to most people. Have you ever wondered how they eat? These mollusks have an organ in the mouth with rows of tiny teeth, sometimes compared with a tongue, fully functional at the time of eating.

The radula is this structure inside the snail’s mouth that has rows of chitin teeth. When the food reaches this structure that looks like a sac, the teeth do not cut or grind it as human teeth would. Instead of being chewed, the radula scrapes the food and breaks it, before it passes through the esophagus to continue the digestion process.

These tiny teeth suffer much wear and tear as time passes. Therefore, they are continually replaced by others. Not all species have the same number of teeth. Some have rows with a few, but in others the number reaches hundreds.

FAST GROWTH. carbohydrates for energy, and they also need protein for growth. Snails require a large number of calcium deposits in their environment for their shells, as well as other minerals and vitamins. Here is the list of food you can feed your Snails with.

Causes of High Mortality in Snails

Snails have many enemies. These include termites, soldier ants, frogs, toads, rats, snail-eating birds, lizards, and larvae of some beetles. Common salt is also poisonous to Snails. Overcrowding is a serious cause of mortality in snail pens. When too many Snails are crowded in a pen, they produce undesirable secretions which are observed to reduce their productivity. To remedy these;

These are what to do when ants invade your snailery without panic, use of chemicals, or spending money. A simple process with the benefit of affordability, safety, and time-saving is to Remove the snail and wash them in water to free them from any attacking predator

Be careful while you do this so you don’t break their shell at the hedge or drown them in water. Don’t commit the mistake of dropping them in water or keeping them there to get rid of the ants Wash them one after the other.

Search and remove all discoverable eggs as much as you find. Keep according to hatchling procedures. Boil water to a boiling point and generously apply the hot water on the sides of the pen. The water will travel downward to kill all the ants and their eggs. Do this repeatedly when you notice their presence, not until they attack. You will soon set the area free of their invention, take the war to their colony as you sight or suspect them.

Snail Farming is a crazy fun area you should venture into because the demand is very high and its highly untapped, besides there are various areas you can focus on in snail business, you may decide to based on hatching segment or fattening of growers to point of lay which takes about 4-6 months It might seem like a long time right? How about you buy growers snail which is in the 3 months stage up, fatten it to next 3-4 months, it will reach to a point of lay, then you can sell it 250- 300 something you bought about 70-100 naira each,

Imagine if you have gotten about 3000 pieces of this it will be N250 (average) x 3000 = N750,000 Removing the cost of acquiring them N750,000 – N300,000 = N450,000 in 3 months time

Any business which can give you such return on investment within 3 months is very lucrative, even poultry can not give you that with N300,000k Before you ask me about other costs, you can actually feed your snails on vegetables and other household waste such as the back of watermelon, yam/potato peels, maize & Soybean waste, even if you wished to use formulated feed you will not waste more than 50k to raise them if you intermix the feed with vegetables, fruits, waste and compounded feeds, In my other post, I have shared exhaustively on:

• How to construct your snail house yourself
• How to enrich the soil substrate
• How to fabricate snail, automatic water drinker
• How to hatch your snail eggs
• How to take care of snail hatchlings
• How to fatten your snail to jumbo size or table size
• How to Boost your snail egg-laying abilities

In Case you need to construct a snail farm or buy a good point of lay (POL) snails, ( snails on the verge of laying eggs) AMO, AMS, AF, AA, I have made a human-verified directory with legible snail farmers across the state, so feel free to reach out to any, If you have experience or have snails to sale, you can submit your information here, after we verify you by checking out few things your information will be listed on our platform for buyers to connect with you

After reading this, do you still have more questions? Use the comment box, I will try to answer as quickly as I can,

Hi, I am Joshua Nwankwo, The CEO of Startup Ng and the founder of Afripals Interactive, Well I am a Civil Servant in Day time, a farmer at noontime and a Blogger in the evening. My passion for being free from Government paychecks and also helping my fellow young people to be self-empowered is why I run this blog An Animal Scientist by Profession and a blogger by passion, you can always reach me on my contact page for help or support

Nice said we’ll

Pls tell me more about it

of course its great

How is snail egg hatched

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Snail farming: making good use of a small space

Stanley and heather micallef began by growing snails in an open-air paddock. earlier this year, they changed to a climate-controlled set-up, which has enabled them to increase production significantly. snail farming can be a profitable enterprise for smallholders, they told gerhard uys..

Stanley Micallef and his wife, Heather, of Benoni in Gauteng, use a temperature- controlled environment to speed up the snail-breeding process in their enterprise, Stanley’s Snails.

This system ensures that snails can be harvested at the age of seven months, instead of nine to 12 months, and can be harvested all year round.

With its minimal space requirements, snail breeding is a worthwhile profit-generating option for smallholders, according to the Micallefs.

The couple became interested in snail farming when a friend, who is a chef, complained that it was difficult to source snails for the restaurant market in South Africa, as suppliers were unreliable and tinned snails were unpalatable.

They now breed the Helix aspersa Müller (brown garden snail) species specifically for the consumer market and have imported breeding stock from Greece.

Edible snails are usually procured from three sources: vineyards, where they are regarded as pests; controlled systems, such as an outdoor growing system where snails are harvested from paddocks annually as part of a natural cycle; or in an indoor environment.

Snails hibernate in winter, burying themselves about 7cm underground, below frost level. When the rains arrive, the water seeps through the soil, melting the protective layer over the snails’ shells and they emerge from hibernation to feed and breed.

The pros & cons of paddock production At one stage, Stanley and Heather produced snails in a paddock enclosed with corrugated iron sheeting to prevent rats from entering, and shade netting to keep snails from escaping.

Snails grown outdoors can, however, be preyed on by centipedes, millipedes, crickets, lizards, rats, mice and praying mantises. Fortunately, they reproduce at an exceptionally fast rate, says Stanley, and growing these molluscs is certainly viable in rural areas. In Australia, snails are grown in paddocks that have stepping stones for cover, while the vegetation provides the necessary feed.

Although vegetables can be grown for feed, the quantity in a land is not normally sufficient, so additional dry feed has to be provided as the snail population increases.

Heather advises against feeding kitchen waste such as vegetable scraps as these spoil quickly, and the snails will not eat it.

With the paddock method, a producer can grow up to 2t of snails a year on 1 000m2 (0,1ha). However, Stanley cautions that one needs a sizeable number of breeder snails to begin with to achieve this figure, and the size of the operation will ultimately determine yield.

Climate control In March last year, the Micallefs switched from a paddock to a climate-controlled environment, and business is booming.

“In 2015, around October there were no eggs or hatchlings. The snails were waiting for rain,” Stanley says.

In the new climate-controlled area, the snails have produced 3kg of eggs since March. At 11 eggs/g, this amounts to 33 000 eggs.

A single snail is sold to restaurants for over R3 each, and directly to consumers at more than R8 each, which translates to a potential profit of between R99 000 and R264 000 per cycle, depending on the market, Stanley explains.

Life cycle and feeding regimen Snails are hermaphrodites, which means they have both male and female sex organs. They mate when mature and can store sperm for egg fertilisation. In an indoor environment, the snails are provided with containers that contain soil or compost soft enough for them to bury their eggs.

Once the eggs are laid in the containers, they are harvested and separated into smaller, closed containers filled with moist soil, where they grow. The snails do not hatch from the eggs; rather, the eggs morph into snails.

“A keen observer can literally see the spirals of the shells grow on the eggs,” Heather says.

Depending on the temperature level, this process is completed within seven to 14 days. If the conditions are favourable, snails will lay between 100 and 200 eggs at a time, two to three times per year.

Once morphing is completed, the hatchlings are placed in boxes in a humidified room. Here they are fed a high protein and mineral feed made locally, according to a recipe sourced in the UK, and remain here until their shells harden. As snails mature at different rates, they are separated according to size when they leave the hatchery.

After this, they are given finely milled, maize-based adult feed with added calcium and phosphate. Once breeding snails are past their prime, they start producing smaller or fewer eggs, and are then sold for consumption.

Climate control The temperature in the climate- controlled room is kept between 18˚C and 22˚C. A misting system, which is turned on every few minutes, keeps the room’s humidity at an optimal level.

Snails are housed on wooden platforms, and a screen underneath and battery-charged metal strips that send out electrical pulses prevent the snails from escaping. The entire area is hosed down every day to remove droppings and mucus.

The snails are fed in the late afternoon after the area has been cleaned, and they immediately emerge from darker areas on the platforms when feed is distributed by hand.

To keep production numbers manageable, the Micallefs place snails older than 26 weeks in refrigeration to induce hibernation. This cannot be done earlier, as the shells are not thick enough to protect the snails from the cold and they can die. Snails can be kept in this induced hibernation state for up to six months, according to Stanley.

There are several markets for snail-derived products, based on the various growth stages and sizes of the molluscs. Eggs that have not grown into snails are sold as white caviar, which is regarded as a luxury item in many countries around the world.

A secondary market exists for smaller snails, which are sold as food for pets such as bearded dragons and hedgehogs. However, snails produced for the pet trade must be grown in a sterile, closed indoor system to ensure that they do not contain pathogens that may harm the animals consuming them.

Medium-sized snails, used for Portuguese and Italian-style cooking are sold live, but are purged and cleaned, and sold in a refrigerated hibernating state. According to Stanley, consumers prefer snails that have been in hibernation, as they retreat into their shells, giving them a rounded shape when cooked, rather than a long, slug-like appearance.

According to Stanley, snails have a higher protein content per kilogram than beef.

He explains that snails for the pet industry are grown out in four months, while snails to be used in cooking take six months to grow out.

Those sold at markets take seven to eight months to reach a marketable age. Breeder snails are grown out until the age of 18 months.

The Micallefs currently supply fully cooked, spiced and vacuum-packed snails to weekend food markets.

All the couple’s snail products have undergone rigorous testing in a laboratory and Stanley’s Snails has also been endorsed by the South African Chefs Association.

Plans for expansion Stanley’s and Heather’s plans for the future include establishing a fully HACCP- compliant breeding, growing, and snail storage facility. Although such a facility would require a large capital investment, current high production levels make expansion critical, and plans are underway to form a consortium to facilitate the process.

The Micallefs’ business plan includes expansion up to 26t/ year, while a programme to establish satellite snail farms, in which growers will sell snails that they have raised back to Stanley’s Snails, is also envisaged.

Phone Stanley Micallef on 082 457 2951 or email him at [email protected] .

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This  Snail farming business plan in Nigeria Pdf  is regularly updated and can also be used to obtain loans and grants etc.

Snail Farming Business Plan In Nigeria Pdf

Snail Farming in Nigeria is one of the most neglected and yet one of the most profitable animal rearing businesses anywhere in the country. It provides one of the finest opportunities to make good money in a very short time. But why are many Nigerian people not yet fully engaged in snail farming?

The reason is ignorance !!!

Just like in many other aspects of farming in the country, Nigerians are yet to discover the great money-making potential in snail rearing business and that is why we suffer in hunger and poverty.

Sample Business Plan On Snail Farming In Nigeria Pdf –

The good news: If you are interested in getting into snail farming in Nigeria or Africa, After reading this article, you will be on your way to starting your own snail business in easy and simple steps and once you have a business plan you are fully equipped to get into the industry.

Table Of Content

• INTRODUCTION/Executive Summary

VISION AND MISSION FOR THE BUSINESS IDEA

Objectives of the business.

• PROJECT DESCRIPTION
• FEASIBILITY OF THE STUDY(Swot Analysis)

LOCATION AND WHY

• MARKET ANALYSIS
• MARKETING STRATEGY
• DEMAND AND SUPPLY
• MARKET SHARE (GAP ANALYSIS)
• FORM OF BUSINESS AND ITS ESTABLISHMENT
• LEGAL FORM OF THE BUSINESS
• ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE BUSINESS
• TECHNICAL ASPECTS
• RAW MATERIALS INPUTS REQUIRED FOR THE BUSINESS
• BUILDING PROCESS
• PRODUCTION PROCESS
• INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS
• ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
• PROJECT TIMELINES
• Financial Forecast and Analysis

Introduction

Brief history of snail.

The African giant snail (Achatina achatina) has coiled shells in their adult stage. They are hermaphrodites and so, they do not require a partner to copulate. They are oviparous and can lay eggs between 10 and 30days after mating. Eggs laying takes place during the rainy season or when provided with the required food, which are mostly juicy vegetables, constant water, a favourable weather condition of an average of 250C to 300C, and humidity of 80%. The species lays about 200 to 400 eggs in one batch 2 to 3 times a year. It takes about 11 days for its egg to be hatched in the humus-rich soil.

All species of snail get matured for harvesting by the 5th to 7th months and are actually ready for consumption or marketing. Snails could live as long as 7 to 10 years in their natural habitat.

Executive Summary

Miracle FARM is a Snail Farming and Agricultural Training outfit involved in breeding and selling table-size live snails of different breeds including Archachatina Archachatina, Achatina marginata, etc. selling to Nigeria and the international market.

We ensure we always use the best quality inputs and proper hygienic conditions for our stock at all times. With the right combination of input, we get our snails to reach weight in a quick time. Again, all of our production inputs are organic.

• To improve the standard of living of people through the provision of highly prolific Achatina achatina snail that does not contain fat and cholesterol.
• To promote and encourage bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries by way of trade.

Mission Of The Business:

• To make african meat accessible across the globe
• A desire to pressure and conserve the very highly prolific species of Achatina achatina snail for future reference, research purposes, recreational activities, and medicinal uses.

–    Constant growth in sales in 12 months. –    To generate customer satisfaction so that at least 60% of our customer base is repeat business. – product at reasonable prices with exemplary services.

Goal Of The Business

• To be a one Stop-Farm in South East for Snail meat and its derivatives in Nigeria.
• Our Vision for the  Snail Farming Business plan in Nigeria  To provide exceptional Snail meat and its derivatives in Nigeria at an affordable cost.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (  Business Plan For Snail Farming In Nigeria )

Snail farming Business Idea:  The business idea was the setting up of a 200 capacity snail farm business in Owerri City, Imo State. The snail of the farm was located at Koro Farm Garden (KFG) in Ohaji Community while the business office was on 34 ikenegbu streets, Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State.

Conceptualizations Of Idea:

• It is a practicable and viable venture yet unexplored in Nigeria.
• This technology has been approved for most lucrative farming venture presently, as it requires far less capital investment, which much profit is being generated in a considerable short period.
• Virtually every part of snail is of vital use in food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and fishing industries.

FEASIBILITY OF THE STUDY (Swot Analysis)

The SWOT analysis reveals the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of snail farming business in Nigeria.

The following constituted the strengths of the business: Adequate beginning up capital

Adequate start-up capital

• Low risks of production
• Accessibility to excellent types of snails
• Appeal for snails
• Good market potential
• Best location (area with fresh vegetation)
• Best weather condition
• Few competitors
• Availability of Land space

Weaknesses: The following are my weaknesses:

• Delays with Registration (e.g., with corporate affairs commission, C.A.C)
• Local competitors (e.g., rural dwellers)
• Getting licenses and permits

Opportunities: The opportunities include:

• If a grower begins a snail farm with say 50 snails, it can produce averagely up to 250,000 adult snails worth over #500,000 in a year.
• The risk of losing snails on the farm is very low compared to other livestock farming.
• Huge market demand for snails in Nigeria
• Lastly, snails hardly fall sick, they are hermaphrodite; you don’t have to buy food, you don’t spend much to create an abode for them, they reproduce rapidly and are very important foreign exchange income earner of our days.

The basic threats to the business are mainly unsystematic risks including the following:

• Human interferences including vibration and pointless commotion from cars and industries around the enviroment
• Brutal lighting torch, lamps and sounds.
• Pens wetting particularly during the dry season.

The other threats that could affect the business are political and could occur when there is a change of power which may lead to a change of policies.

Location:  The 200 capacity snail farm business otherwise named “Miracle Snail Farm Nigeria Limited” is located at: Koro Farm Garden, Owerri City, Imo State. The above address represented the site of snail rearing while the address below represented the marketing office: 34 ikenegbu streets, Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State.

For the remaining part of this business plan, including the detailed financial analysis, call any of our business plan consultants on 08122230861 or send me an email at  chibuezemicah e @gmail. com .

Step On  How To Start A Snail Farming Business In Nigeria.

Snails-farming  is an environment-friendly venture, because, unlike poultry or pigs, the snail does not have a bad smell. Snails can also be reared in the backyard and snails manure improves the organic content of the soil.

1.. SELECTING SUITABLE SNAIL SPECIE FOR BREEDING:   The edible and most common snail species in West Africa are:

Achatinaachatina or Giant African snail, Tiger snail Archachatinamarginata or Big black snail, GiantAfrican Achatina Fulica or Garden snail, Foolishsnail

2. Write a Snail farming business plan in Nigeria pdf:

For you to be able to structure your business properly and run it efficiently you need to be able to create a business plan for your snail farming business in Nigeria.

 3. SOIL:  The best soil for snail production is the sandy-loamy soil which is devoid of laterite or mud, which might lead to a waterlogged snail environment. The soil used should also be rich in some minerals, most especially calcium, which is a major component of the snail shells.

4. CHOOSING A SITE

Snails  are good at escaping from enclosures. A priority in setting up a productive sail farming venture, therefore, is to construct escape-proof housing. There are several types of snail housing (snaileries) to choose from, depending on the size of the venture. The first step, however, is to select an appropriate site. The main factors to consider in site selection are the following:

(Micro)climate Wind speed and direction Soil characteristics Safety(protecting the snails from diseases, predators and poachers)

5. FEEDING:  

Snails most feed on green leaves and fruits though they can choose from a variety of different foods. It is also best to feed them with concentrate feeds specially formulated to meet their nutrient requirements.

6. MARKETING: 

A commercial value snail will grow to full maturity in less than a year. It can even be harvested for marketing after 8 months if adequate feeding is applied. A matured snail will sell for close to N500 depending on the size and the cost of breeding a snail from hatching to maturity will not be more than N150, giving a profit margin of close to N350/snail which if multiplied by the large number of snails harvested, will yield a very wide profit margin for the farmer.

One million snails after a year or two sold at the rate of N50 each (highly reduced price) will give about N50 million! Isn’t that a good investment?

How Lucrative Is Snail Farming In Nigeria?

If you are wondering how lucrative snail farming is in Nigeria, then you should know that an acre of land under snail cultivation can generate a potential  profit  of N5 million+, 

Why you should start a snail farm in Nigeria

• SNAILS ARE HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS: Snails have become a very much cherished delicacy among a lot of people across the world. This is due to its high nutritional value. The meat is rich in calcium, phosphorous, selenium and other essential minerals plus vitamins.
• LOW CAPITAL REQUIREMENT:  The capital required to start off a snail farming business is quite low, especially when compared to other agricultural businesses. 
• AVAILABILTY OF MARKETS:  With the population of Nigeria estimated to the tune of about 180 million people. The market for snails is every much large and will not be so difficult for a farmers to dispose of his produce

This shows you why and How Lucrative snail farming is.

Ready To Start Your Snail Farming Business In Nigeria Or Africa?

Maybe you dream of opening your own  Snail Farming  Business In Nigeria , but you’re still working out the details on how to make that dream a reality.

Well we are the leading Business consulting firm in Nigeria and can help you make the process much easier contact us with 08122230861

Get your Snail Farming Business Plan in Nigeria PDF Sample Now 

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Micah Erumaka

About Micah Erumaka

Micah Erumaka is the Founder of LiaonCEM solutions which owns NaijaCEO. He is an Internet Entrepreneur and a content creator. After the failure of his first company at age 18 he started NaijaCEO to help entrepreneurs with the information they need in operating a successful business in Africa

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