ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SNAIL PRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The country food situation during the last and present decades becomes as critical as to constitute a nearly intractable problems. The problems are accessioned by high rate of population growth which has arisen the failure of food production to cope with national demand. Agricultural sector has a unique role to play in the quest of putting the Nigeria economy on the production of balanced self-reliant and non-inflationary growth. The study of economic history provides us with sample evidence that an agricultural evolution is a fundament production for economic development. The agricultural sector has a potential to be the industrial and economic spring boards more often than not agricultural activities are usually concentrated in the less developed rural areas where there is a crucial need for transformation, re- distribution, poverty alleviation and social economic development.

Agricultural activities comprises of crop and animal production, there have been growing concerns in the recent years at the low level of protein intake, especially of animal origin in spite of various agricultural development strategies adopted in Nigeria, daily per-capita, animal protein intake estimated as less than log or remains as far cry from the food and agricultural organization (FAO) recommendation minimal requirement of 35g (Usman 2003) in order to bridge this gap, it has been suggested that there is the need to explore of or source animal protein in addition to the conventional source such as ruminants and poultry (Olayide and Heady 1981) one of the important alternative source of animal protein, which has received relatively scanty attention in Nigeria as the snail.

The problem of animal protein intake in Nigeria has encouraged researcher to look for source of protein from animal which are reared with little or no capital. Micro livestock such as snail, glasscutter and rabbit have been domesticated and a lot of work is going on aimed to increase their availability at a reduced price, Snail farm environmental friendly and can be done with little skills (Alkinusi 1988 NCR 1991).In Africa countries snail production is also relevant and according to some researcher, snail in Africa is known as Achatina Fulica and other achatinal species, giant Africa snails. They can grow up to 326mm (1ft ¾ inch) in length. Their native range is south of the Sahara in East Africa. This snail was purposely introduced into India in 1847. There was an unsuccessful attempt to establish it in Japan in 1925. It has been purposely and accidentally transported to other pacific locations and was inadventenly released in California after World War II, in Hawaii, and later in North maimi Florida in the 1970s. In many places, it is a serious agricultural pest that causes considerable crop damage. Also, due to its large size, its slime and fecal material create a nuisance as does the odour that occurs when something like poison bait causes large numbers to die (Wikipedia, 19 may 2015).

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Roasted snail shells have been found in Archaeological excavations and indication that snails have been eaten since prehistoric times. Roman snail, was an ancient method of snail farming or horticulture in the region about tanquinia. This snail farming method was described by folvius lippinus (49BC) and mentioned by marcuc Terentis varro in De Re Rustica III, 12.

There was an unsuccessful attempt to establish it in Japan in 1925. It has been purposely and accidentally transported to other pacific locations and was inadvently released in California after world war II, in Hawaii, and later in north maimi florida in the 1970s. also, due to its large size, its slime and fecal material create a nuisance as does the odour that occurs when something like poison bait causes large numbers to die. The U.S has made considerable effort to eradicate Achatina. The U.S. department of Agriculture (USDA) has banned the importation and possession of live giant Africa snails. However, they are still sought after as pets due to the vibrant “tiger stripes on their shells.Many who are into snail farming in Nigeria are also unwilling to let others know about the farming methodology. The techniques are often shrouded in secrecy. Nigeria economic recovery and programmes have necessitated a radical shift from total dependent on government for jobs to self employment in snail rearing. It is a great money-spinning business that can provide a substantial source of protein to complement Nigerian carbohydrate meals. Snail is an important source of protein, snail also plays an important role in folk medicine irrespective of snail considerable high potentials, local snails production has failed to meet the country demand is for higher than the supply (kehinde 2004). Considering the high prospect in the industry the provision of protein through snails availability and creating employment for the producers and marketers, people are therefore advised and encourage to go into snail farming. Hence the question seemed to arise.

How profitable is the snail production as a snail and medium scale enterprise. What are the factors or constraints is removed so that snail farmers livelihood can be improved which will turn as an improvement on agricultural production of the nation.