JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RURAL ECONOMICS
Integrity Research Journals
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JAERE
Start Year: 2024
Email: jaere@integrityresjournals.org
Snail farming in Nigeria: Tapping into the economic potential of heliculture. A review
https://doi.org/10.31248/JAERE2025.018 | Article Number: F6CDE8B01 | Vol.2 (3) - June 2025
Received Date: 23 May 2025 | Accepted Date: 27 June 2025 | Published Date: 30 June 2025
Authors: Etukudo, O. M.* , Inyang, A. B. , Nkantion, U. N. , Patani, I. and Okon, B.
Keywords: Nigeria., Food security, Agricultural diversification, heliciculture, snail farming, sustainable livelihoods.
Heliculture, the practice of rearing snails for human consumption, commercialization, and industrial applications, is an emerging agribusiness with significant potential to contribute to food security, employment, income generation, and sustainable development in Nigeria. Despite its nutritional, medicinal, and economic benefits, snail farming remains underexploited compared to conventional livestock systems in Nigeria. This review explores the current status of heliciculture in Nigeria, examining its biological, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. This article highlights the importance and prospects of snail farming in Nigeria, including agricultural transformation, industrial transformation, pharmaceutical transformation, and economic transformation. The paper also addresses key challenges facing the sector, such as temperature and climate, predators and pests, soil quality, disease management, reproduction challenges, and lack of capital. To fully harness the economic potential of snail farming in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for targeted research and development, supportive policy frameworks, capacity building, and enhanced value chain integration. The review concludes by advocating for the integration of heliciculture into formal educational curricula in Nigeria is also recommended to foster early awareness and promote future innovations in the sector. These interventions are critical for optimizing production efficiency, ensuring industry competitiveness, and positioning snail farming as a significant contributor to agricultural diversification and economic development in Nigeria.
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