UPS AND DOWNS IN SNAIL FARMING!

Friends and comrades,
I was long asked by my friends to address on the the Issue about the disadvantages of snail farming.
I have dismissed it for several months now, thinking that it was just a passing thing and not many people practiced snail farming.
I have received a message from my Nigerian Brother on the same issue, and I’m finally compelled to discuss with you on the disadvantages of snail farming.

What is Snail Farming?

Snail Farming or Heliciculture is the process of farming or raising edible terrestrial snails. "Escargot" most commonly refers to either Helix aspersa or to Helix pomatia, although other varieties of snails are eaten.

Disadvantages of snail farming
Climate
Without expensive artificial means of climate control, snail farming is restricted to the humid tropical forest zone, which offers a constant temperature, high relative humidity, preferably no dry season, and a fairly constant day/night rhythm throughout the year.
Cultural restrictions
Snail meat is considered a delicacy by some, whereas others will not
even touch it for religious or cultural reasons.
Growth
Snails are relatively slow-growing animals. Furthermore the consumable meat makes up only 40% (maximum!) of the snail's total live
weight. Consequently snail farming is not a way to make money quickly!
Snails as a pest
Snails that have escaped from a farm, or been dumped by a farmer,
may quickly develop into a serious pest in agriculture and horticulture.
For these reasons it must be emphasised that snail farming should be
seen as only one component in a diversified farming venture. However, with patience, good management and careful integration into
existing farming activities, snail farming can provide substantial
longer-term rewards.
Planning a snail farming venture
A sequence of five steps is suggested:
1 Plan (market, production, organisation)
2 Pilot production and sales
3 Go or no-go decision
4 Investment in facilities and know-how (cages/pens, finance, knowledge)
5 Upscaling (logistics, quality, financial control)
Prescriptions
The following chapters present prescriptions for the actual farming of
snails, e.g. suitable snail species, environment, housing, stock, feed
and health.
Caution:Before embarking on snail farming make sure you have a
market! This may seem self evident; but there are many examples of
cases in which giant African land snails (GALS) were introduced to
other parts of the world for farming, but were eventually dumped (or
allowed to escape) into the wild for lack of a market.
Once the snails have been introduced, dumped or allowed to escape,
they develop into a serious agricultural pest. Without any natural enemies they end up destroying a wide range of agricultural and/or horticultural crops and causing considerable economic damage. Achatina
fulicahas a particularly poor reputation in this respect.
Giant African snails are considered a delicacy by people accustomed
to consuming them, whereas other people, even within the same country, will not even touch, let alone eat them. For that reason, don't start
farming snails unless you are absolutely sure that someone will buy or eat them.
I’m pleading you my people, if you follow the necessary tips and guidelines for snail farming, you will prosper and our continent will prosper too.

Disciple should be adhered to all the key sectors of our economy. It’s not a witchcraft. If you still have doubts or questions to ask, please do it below by leaving your comment.