Snail Farming Management and Value Chain Development in Osun State

This study examines snail farming management practices and value chain development opportunities in Osun State, South West Nigeria. Snail meat is a culturally important and nutritionally valuable protein source in Southwest Nigeria, with growing urban demand creating market opportunities for commercial snail farming. While wild snail harvesting is declining due to habitat loss, commercial heliculture using African giant land snails is expanding in Osun State, but production and value chain management knowledge gaps limit sector development. This study surveys 60 snail farmers in Ede, Ife Central, and Iwo local government areas on management systems, species kept, feeding practices, reproduction management, health challenges, yields, and market arrangements. A market survey covers 20 traders and 10 restaurant buyers to assess demand patterns, quality requirements, and price mechanisms. Findings reveal that Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina are the predominant species, managed in pen and free-range systems with feeding of household vegetable waste, calcium-rich shells, and supplementary concentrate feeds. Average pen stocking density of 15 snails per square metre achieves acceptable growth rates, with harvest weight of 200 to 350 grams achieved in 12 to 18 months. Shell development disorder from calcium deficiency affects 28 percent of sampled farms. Seasonal scarcity during dry season enables price premiums of 120 percent above peak wet season prices. The study concludes that improved calcium nutrition, dry season management, and cold storage capacity are the priority development needs for Osun State heliculture. It recommends a heliculture enterprise development programme.

Keywords: snail farming, heliculture, Osun State, value chain, Archachatina marginata.