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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Economics of raising African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)in Osun State,
Nigeria
O. I. Baruwa
1
, P. O. Abogan
2
and R. Kassali
1
1
Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria
2
Department of Economics, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria
e-mail: aragbon2005@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: This research was aimed at examining the economics and constraints of raising African Giant Land
snail (Archachatina marginata) in Osun State of Nigeria. Data on Socioeconomic characteristics of snail
farmers, business environmental characteristics of respondents, constraints on production, quantities and prices
of both inputs and output, were collected. The datawere analyzed using descriptive statistics, and enterprise
budgeting. Estimated gross margin of N32, 275 and a net profit of N30, 375 were obtained from the study, snail
enterprise was seen to be profitable and the payback period for the initial investment was one year meaning that
farmers could recover their investment in a single year. The results of the study also indicated that snail farmers
were mostly male, literate, sole proprietor, self-financed and took snail farming as part time. Pest attack, lack of
funds and poor laying performance (in decreasing order of importance) of snail were the main problems
encountered by the farmers. Ensuring high level sanitation and medication to reduce pest attack, credit
accessibility from formal and informal sources; setting up demonstration centers that will serve as source of
improved foundation stocks.
Keywords:Economics, Constraints, African Giant Land Snail and Osun State, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
The prevailing malnutrition problem in
Nigeria is noted to be highly attributable to low
animal protein intake (Fagbuaro et al, 2006). The
challenge of ensuring a sustainable high level of
animal protein supply to Nigeria’s rising
population has seen the livestock production
industry stretched to its production limits. This is
typical of most other developing and developed
nations of the world. A World Bank Assisted
National Agricultural Research Strategy Plan
(1996-2010) for Nigeria has projected animal
protein supply of 5.322g/head/day, for the
estimated population of 159 million by 2010.
Okojie (1999) reported 3.8g/h/d as animal protein
intake in Nigeria against the FAO (2001)
recommended minimum requirement of 34g/h/d for
a healthy living of humans. Comparatively, Igene
(1992) and Lamorode (1993) reported the average
animal protein intake per head per day in North
America, Western and Eastern Europe as 66, 39,
33g/h/d respectively. Resource, Inventory and
Management [RIM] (1992) and Federal Ministry of
Economic Development and Reconstruction
[FMEDR] (2000) reported that the meat supply
situation in Nigeria remained critical in spite of the
relatively large animal production of over 13
million cattle, 34 million goats, 24 million sheep,
3.4 million pigs, about 1.7 million domestic rabbit
and 104.3 million local poultry and about 20
million exotic poultry. Hence one of the most
serious nutritional problems in the developing
47
International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Produced by IJAERD Press - Nigeria, 2012
countries is the shortage of high protein food from
animal sources.
Animal proteins are more biologically
complete than vegetable protein because they
contain a complete range of amino acids that are
essential for maintenance of health (FAO, 2005).
The primary task of addressing the malnutrition
problems through increased animal protein intake
requires production of protein from animal sources
in the right quantity and quality. The contribution
made by domestic animals (conventional sources)
as protein supply are not enough, there is therefore
need to look at some unconventional sources
(Etchu, et al., 2008). To achieve this, there is need
to encourage the raising of some wildlife species
such as snail and cane rat. The land snails are non-
conventional wildlife protein source in Nigeria and
some parts of Africa. It constitutes the major and
cheapest source of protein in Nigeria (Yoloye,
1984, Ademolu et al, 2004). With a crude protein
content of 16.18%, it compares favorably with
other conventional source of animal protein like
beef, pork and poultry meat (FAO, (1986);
Akinnusi, (1998)).
Edible tropical land snails are abundant
during the wet season; they are easily gathered
especially at night and before dawn. These snails
can easily be domesticated and controlled (Ebenso,
(2002), Ebenso and Okafor, (2002); Ebenso,
(2003)). Land snails habitat ranges from the dense
tropical high forest in Southern Nigeria to the
fringing riparian forests of the derived Guinea
Savanna (Ajayi et al, (1980); Odiabo, (1997)).
From November to March each year, Nigerian
snails aestivate because of the hot dry weather.
During this aestivation period, the aperture is
temporarily closed by a calcified material known as
epiphragm, a whitish, fragile material (Nisbet,
1974). During aestivation the snails bury
themselves in the soil or hide beneath stones in
order to avoid direct solar radiation (Schmidth-Nielsen et al., 1971). During rainfall the epiphragm
breaks and very cold water stored before
aestivation pours out of the aperture (Ajayi et al.,
1980), and snails emerge to eat new plant growth
and the soft soil (Ajayi et al.,(1980); Odiabo,
(1997)).
There are several giant African snails, for
instance, the giant snail in Ghana(Achatina
achatina); Nigeria (Archachatina marginata) and
East Africa (Achatina fulica). The Archachatina
marginata is the main object of this study .It is
common in the rain forest belt of Southern Nigeria
and can reach a weight of 500-800g when fully
mature and has commercial value than other
species (Amusan and Omidiji, 1999). The African
giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) has
contributed immensely to the diets of both rural
and urban dwellers serving either as delicacies
(also known as “congo meat”) or as main dishes
(Ngenwi et al,2010). Molluscs serve as significant
and essential part of the daily diet of Calabars,
Itsekiris, Yorubas and many other coastal tribes.
Edible part of snail meat contains at least 60%
protein, which contributes to the formation of the
interior framework of the cell and structure of
intercellular substances like osteroids, collagen and
dentine (Gohl, 1975). Imevbore and Ademosun
(1988) reported that snail meat is particularly rich
in calcium and phosphorus, which are lower in
beef. Calcium is necessary in metabolic functions
such as membrane permeability and muscle
contraction. It is also a major constituent of skeletal
structure.
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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Snail has an extremely low fat and
cholesterol content (Hamzat et al., (2002);
Olufokunbi et al, (1989); Omole, (2003)) thus
helps cure cardiovascular diseases such as
hypertension, kidney diseases, tuberculosis,
anaemia, diabetes and asthma. In addition, snails
have been found to have aesthetic values. Snails
are often utilized for a lot of decorative works and
carvings such as flower vases, ash trays and other
interior decoration thus making them to have
additional economic values (Baba and Adeleke,
2006). Snail enterprise depends solely on decay
plant materials or waste. Hence, a snailery
enterprise facilitates or enhances proper waste
management in that; it can control odours from
pathogens as well as stabilize manure and also
reduce pollution of surface and ground water
(FAO, 2003).
As a result of its excellent nutritional
attributes, which can reduce, to some extent, the
country’s malnutrition and undernourishment
problems and roles played in the medical and
pharmaceutical fields, it is important to rear
African land giant snail on a large scale in order to
reduce its erratic supply caused by seasonal factors
such as rainfall and relative humidity. Hence, there
is need to evaluate the profitability of raising
African land giant snail on large scale. Therefore,
the objective of the study is to determine the
profitability of raising African giant land snail
(Archachatina marginata) in the study area.
METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted in Osun State of
Nigeria, which lies within the tropical zone and in
the rain forest and savannah regions of Nigeria, and
has two distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts for
eight months and the dry season for four months.
A multistage sampling technique was used
in selecting snail farmers. Four Local Government
Areas (LGAs) and four villages from each LGA
were selected using purposive sampling procedure
based on snail production potential. Four
respondents were selected from each village using
snowball technique totaling sixty four. In all sixty-four respondents were sampled, and however, only
sixty copies questionnaires were used for analysis,
while four were rejected for inconsistency and
inadequate information.
Data were collected using a pre-tested,
well-structured questionnaire on socio- economic
characteristics of the farmers (sex, age, years of
experience, educational level); characteristics of
snail raising enterprise (enterprise size, sources of
breeding stock, production level, breeding
environment); quantities and prices of production
inputs and farm output, and major constraints to
raising of snails. Data collected were analyzed
using both descriptive statistics and enterprise
budgeting. Descriptive statistics (frequency
distribution, mean, median and percentages) was
used to analyze data on socio – economic
characteristics of the farmers, and of the enterprise
and major constraints to snail enterprise. Enterprise
budgeting was used to estimate return and costs to
snail enterprise to determine the profitability of the
enterprise. Both accounting and economic profits
were calculated. Accounting profit is revenue less
explicit costs (expenses) only, while economic
profit equals revenue less both implicit and explicit
costs (Dwivedi, 2001). Explicit costs are payments
for resource input purchased or hired by a firm in
the process of production, while implicit costs are
49
International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Produced by IJAERD Press - Nigeria, 2012
the opportunity costs of self – owned resources
used by a firm (Leftwich, 1979). Depreciation was
computed using the straight line method with the
value of the used up material assumed to be zero.
Returns or revenue is the product of the quantity of
output and price per unit of output. The payback
period of the snail farming enterprise was also
estimated. The payback period of a project is the
number of years the project generates sufficient net
cash flows to cover the initial investment cost.
Depreciation = cost/economic life …….… (1)
Other derivatives from the budgetary analysis
include:
Gross margin (GM) = GR – TVC …...… (2)
Net Farm Income (NFI) = GM – TFC…... (3)
Where:
GR = Gross revenue, TVC = Total variable cost
TFC = Total fixed cost
Rate of return = average annual net revenue/cost
of the investment x 100 ..….…. (4)
Payback Period = amount of the investment /
expected annual net cash revenue ... (5)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socioeconomic characteristics of respondents
Data in Table 1 showed that farmers’ age
varied between 21 and 60 years. The modal age
bracket was between 31 and 40 years which
constituted 58 percent of the farmers interviewed.
Most of the respondents were within the
economically active age (58 percent), male (66.7
percent), married (75 percent), literate (100
percent) and part-time snail farmer (75 percent).
These features can imply that they might be
receptive to new ideas and adopt new improved
technologies and also suggest that snail enterprise
was a subsidiary source of income for majority of
the farmers.
Table 1: Summary of Socioeconomic
characteristics of snail farmers
Characteristics Distribution
(%)
Mean
(Years)
Age (Years)
21-30 16.7
31-40 58.0 37.0
41-50 16.7
51-60 8.3
Gender
Male 66.7
Female 33.3
Marital Status
Single 16.7
Married 75.0
Divorced/Widowed 8.3
Literacy Level
No Formal Education 8.3
Primary Education -
Secondary Education 25.0
Tertiary Education 66.7
Occupational
Structure
Full-time 25.0
Part-time 75.0
Other Occupation of
Part-Time
Trading 20.0
Civil Service 40.0
Artisan 15.0
Source: Field survey, 2007
The major problems encountered (in descending
order) were insect pest attack (soldier ants), lackof
funds and low level of egg production and low
hatchability (Table 2). Almost (88.3 percent) of the
respondents encountered low egg production and
low hatchability, probably due to genetic and
environmental factors. Some foundation stocks
were too old hence low level of egg production.
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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Table 2: Constraints on snail production and proposed solutions
Problem No of farmers Distribution (%) Proposed Solutions
Snail theft 45 75 - Construction of fence
- Counting and trap
- Native device
Pest attack 60 100 - Use of oil
- Cleanliness
-Application of insecticides
Diseases 30 50 - Prompt disposal of dead
snails.
- Prompt removal of
wetting soil, food remnants
-Addition of calcium to soil
Low egg
production & low
hatchability
53 88.3 - Government setting up
demonstration centers that will
serves as source of improved
foundation stocks
Lack of funds 56 93.3 -Loan
Inadequate market 50 83.3 -Stimulate market
Source: Field survey, 2007
Business environmental characteristics of
respondents
The distribution of snail farmers by
business environment revealed that 53.3 percent
made use of a fenced environment while 30 percent
raised snail in their residential building (Table 3).
This showed that more than half of the respondents
preferred the use of fenced environment because it
reduces unwanted visitors from entering the pen
reducing environmental stress and disease
outbreak. Different types of housing were used
depending on capital, scale of production and
business environment. Half of the respondents
made use of wooden house because of the relative
ease of moving it from one location to the other.
The two common species found in the
area of study were Archachatina marginataand
Archatina achatina. About 43.3 percent of the
respondents used Archachatina marginataas their
foundation stock because they have more flesh
compared with Archatina achatina, while 40
percent used both Archachatina marginataand
Archatina achatinaas foundation stocks because
Archatina achatinaproduced more eggs than
Archachatina marginata. Almost (96.7 percent) of
the farmers feed their snails with pawpaw (leaf or
fruits) and cocoyam leaf while only 3.3 percent
feed their snail with vegetables and fruits. Breeding
of snails involve both natural and artificial
breeding. All (100 percent) of the farmers practiced
natural mating.
Table 3: Distribution of snail farmers by
business environment
Characteristics Distribution (%)
Business environment
Fence 53.3
Shaded tree 16.7
Residential building 30.0
Housing used
Wooden 50.0
Mud 16.7
Cement house 8.3
Basket 25.0
Species in the area of
study
Archachatina marginata 43.3
Archatina achatina 13.4
Archachatina marginata+
Archatina achatina
40.0
Not sure 3.3
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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
Produced by IJAERD Press - Nigeria, 2012
Feed and feeding patterns
Coco yam leaf 18.4
Pawpaw leaf 15.0
Pawpaw fruits 10.0
Vegetables and fruits 3.3
Pawpaw and cocoyam leaf 53.3
Breeding System
Artificial Nil
Natural 100
Source:Field survey, 2007
Costs and return in snail production
From Table 4 it was observed that on the
average, the estimated revenue realized from snail
enterprise raising 500 adult snails was N75, 000
while the Gross margin and Net income (profit)
were N32, 275 and N30, 375 respectively. Based
on these estimates the enterprise was profitable in
Osun State. The implicit cost items were land,
labour and investment outlay. Land was obtained
by high proportion of snail farmers through
inheritance. Labour was provided by snail farmer’s
family labour; and investment costs were obtained
from their personal savings and loans from friends
and relatives, which attracted no interest. The
explicit costs items were disinfectants, medication,
feeds (calcium carbonate, fruits and vegetables)
and fixed assets.
The total fixed cost was N21, 500 with
annual depreciation charge of N1, 900 (Table 5).
Annual depreciation charge is the annual explicit
expenses on fixed assets. The total annual explicit
cost is N16, 900. The accounting profit is therefore
N58, 100. The opportunity costs of owned –
resources used was N3, 000, which was the market
price on a piece of land used; N500/man day for
family labour and 15% per annum as earning in
alternative investment outlay.
Thus, net income / return to management was
Table 4: Average production costs and return
for snail farmers in Ile- Ife area per annum
Items NN
Revenue 500 matured at
N150 per Snail
75,000
Expenses
Family Labour 15,000
Feeding 8,000
Disinfectants 5,000
Medication 2,000
Transportation 5,000
Interest on
capital
7,725
Total Variable
Expense
42,725
Gross Margin 32,275
Fixed Cost
(Depreciation)
1,900
Net Income 30,375
Source: Field survey, 2007
N= Naira, Nigerian Currency, 1S US D = N135
Table 5: Costs of fixed assets of snail raising enterprise
Items Price/unit Quantity Cost Economic
Life
Depreciation
Land 30,000 0.1 3,000 15 years 200
Land improvement and
fencing
10,000 - 10,000 15 years 667
Breeding house 5000 - 5,000 15 years 333
Wooden boxes 500 3 1,500 5 years 300
Breeding stocks 200 10 2,000 5 years 400
Total 21,500 1,900
Source: Field survey, 2007
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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
© IJAERD, 2012
N30,375 this corroborates the already established
fact that snail farms was a subsidiary source of
income for almost all the farmers in the study area.
The net income/profit accounted for 40.5% of the
revenue. For as long as the expected return to
management is less than N30, 375, the enterprise
will give economic profits. It should be noted that
the snail farmers considered the opportunity costs
of their owned resources to be zero. The project
investment outlay fixed cost was N21, 500. In the
first year of operation, the total variable cost, when
all cost items are treated as explicit costs was N
42,725. Project investment outlay when all
resources are market priced was covered by net
cash inflow with excess at the end of first year
suggesting that snail enterprise was profitable.
Previous studies also indicated Snail farming was
highly profitable (Baba and Adeleke, (2006);
Ogunniyi, (2009))
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study examined the profitability of
raising snail on a large scale in the four Local
Government Areas of Ile-Ife in Osun State.
Specifically, the study focused on the
determination of the economic viability and
business environment of the enterprise. Results of
the analyses indicated that snail farmers were
mostly male, literate; within the active age bracket
of 21 – 60 years with the mean age of 37 years.
Snail farm was a subsidiary source of income for
most respondents while the main problems
encountered were insect pest attack, lack of funds,
low egg production and low hatchability (in
decreasing order). Most of the respondents used
woods for the construction of pens, fed the snail
with pawpaw leaves and cocoyam and they all
practiced natural mating. The study revealed that it
would be profitable to raise snail in the study area.
Given the result of this study, Federal
Government and other stakeholders in the
agricultural sector should let small scale farmers
have access to credit through micro finance
institutions. There is need to ensure high level farm
sanitation and medication to reduce pest attack.
Government should set up demonstration centers
that will serve as source of improved foundation
stocks.
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Source: www.lautechaee-edu.com/journal/ijaerd7/ijaerd7%20-%206.pdf
© IJAERD, 2012
Economics of raising African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)in Osun State,
Nigeria
O. I. Baruwa
1
, P. O. Abogan
2
and R. Kassali
1
1
Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria
2
Department of Economics, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria
e-mail: aragbon2005@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: This research was aimed at examining the economics and constraints of raising African Giant Land
snail (Archachatina marginata) in Osun State of Nigeria. Data on Socioeconomic characteristics of snail
farmers, business environmental characteristics of respondents, constraints on production, quantities and prices
of both inputs and output, were collected. The datawere analyzed using descriptive statistics, and enterprise
budgeting. Estimated gross margin of N32, 275 and a net profit of N30, 375 were obtained from the study, snail
enterprise was seen to be profitable and the payback period for the initial investment was one year meaning that
farmers could recover their investment in a single year. The results of the study also indicated that snail farmers
were mostly male, literate, sole proprietor, self-financed and took snail farming as part time. Pest attack, lack of
funds and poor laying performance (in decreasing order of importance) of snail were the main problems
encountered by the farmers. Ensuring high level sanitation and medication to reduce pest attack, credit
accessibility from formal and informal sources; setting up demonstration centers that will serve as source of
improved foundation stocks.
Keywords:Economics, Constraints, African Giant Land Snail and Osun State, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
The prevailing malnutrition problem in
Nigeria is noted to be highly attributable to low
animal protein intake (Fagbuaro et al, 2006). The
challenge of ensuring a sustainable high level of
animal protein supply to Nigeria’s rising
population has seen the livestock production
industry stretched to its production limits. This is
typical of most other developing and developed
nations of the world. A World Bank Assisted
National Agricultural Research Strategy Plan
(1996-2010) for Nigeria has projected animal
protein supply of 5.322g/head/day, for the
estimated population of 159 million by 2010.
Okojie (1999) reported 3.8g/h/d as animal protein
intake in Nigeria against the FAO (2001)
recommended minimum requirement of 34g/h/d for
a healthy living of humans. Comparatively, Igene
(1992) and Lamorode (1993) reported the average
animal protein intake per head per day in North
America, Western and Eastern Europe as 66, 39,
33g/h/d respectively. Resource, Inventory and
Management [RIM] (1992) and Federal Ministry of
Economic Development and Reconstruction
[FMEDR] (2000) reported that the meat supply
situation in Nigeria remained critical in spite of the
relatively large animal production of over 13
million cattle, 34 million goats, 24 million sheep,
3.4 million pigs, about 1.7 million domestic rabbit
and 104.3 million local poultry and about 20
million exotic poultry. Hence one of the most
serious nutritional problems in the developing
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countries is the shortage of high protein food from
animal sources.
Animal proteins are more biologically
complete than vegetable protein because they
contain a complete range of amino acids that are
essential for maintenance of health (FAO, 2005).
The primary task of addressing the malnutrition
problems through increased animal protein intake
requires production of protein from animal sources
in the right quantity and quality. The contribution
made by domestic animals (conventional sources)
as protein supply are not enough, there is therefore
need to look at some unconventional sources
(Etchu, et al., 2008). To achieve this, there is need
to encourage the raising of some wildlife species
such as snail and cane rat. The land snails are non-
conventional wildlife protein source in Nigeria and
some parts of Africa. It constitutes the major and
cheapest source of protein in Nigeria (Yoloye,
1984, Ademolu et al, 2004). With a crude protein
content of 16.18%, it compares favorably with
other conventional source of animal protein like
beef, pork and poultry meat (FAO, (1986);
Akinnusi, (1998)).
Edible tropical land snails are abundant
during the wet season; they are easily gathered
especially at night and before dawn. These snails
can easily be domesticated and controlled (Ebenso,
(2002), Ebenso and Okafor, (2002); Ebenso,
(2003)). Land snails habitat ranges from the dense
tropical high forest in Southern Nigeria to the
fringing riparian forests of the derived Guinea
Savanna (Ajayi et al, (1980); Odiabo, (1997)).
From November to March each year, Nigerian
snails aestivate because of the hot dry weather.
During this aestivation period, the aperture is
temporarily closed by a calcified material known as
epiphragm, a whitish, fragile material (Nisbet,
1974). During aestivation the snails bury
themselves in the soil or hide beneath stones in
order to avoid direct solar radiation (Schmidth-Nielsen et al., 1971). During rainfall the epiphragm
breaks and very cold water stored before
aestivation pours out of the aperture (Ajayi et al.,
1980), and snails emerge to eat new plant growth
and the soft soil (Ajayi et al.,(1980); Odiabo,
(1997)).
There are several giant African snails, for
instance, the giant snail in Ghana(Achatina
achatina); Nigeria (Archachatina marginata) and
East Africa (Achatina fulica). The Archachatina
marginata is the main object of this study .It is
common in the rain forest belt of Southern Nigeria
and can reach a weight of 500-800g when fully
mature and has commercial value than other
species (Amusan and Omidiji, 1999). The African
giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) has
contributed immensely to the diets of both rural
and urban dwellers serving either as delicacies
(also known as “congo meat”) or as main dishes
(Ngenwi et al,2010). Molluscs serve as significant
and essential part of the daily diet of Calabars,
Itsekiris, Yorubas and many other coastal tribes.
Edible part of snail meat contains at least 60%
protein, which contributes to the formation of the
interior framework of the cell and structure of
intercellular substances like osteroids, collagen and
dentine (Gohl, 1975). Imevbore and Ademosun
(1988) reported that snail meat is particularly rich
in calcium and phosphorus, which are lower in
beef. Calcium is necessary in metabolic functions
such as membrane permeability and muscle
contraction. It is also a major constituent of skeletal
structure.
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Snail has an extremely low fat and
cholesterol content (Hamzat et al., (2002);
Olufokunbi et al, (1989); Omole, (2003)) thus
helps cure cardiovascular diseases such as
hypertension, kidney diseases, tuberculosis,
anaemia, diabetes and asthma. In addition, snails
have been found to have aesthetic values. Snails
are often utilized for a lot of decorative works and
carvings such as flower vases, ash trays and other
interior decoration thus making them to have
additional economic values (Baba and Adeleke,
2006). Snail enterprise depends solely on decay
plant materials or waste. Hence, a snailery
enterprise facilitates or enhances proper waste
management in that; it can control odours from
pathogens as well as stabilize manure and also
reduce pollution of surface and ground water
(FAO, 2003).
As a result of its excellent nutritional
attributes, which can reduce, to some extent, the
country’s malnutrition and undernourishment
problems and roles played in the medical and
pharmaceutical fields, it is important to rear
African land giant snail on a large scale in order to
reduce its erratic supply caused by seasonal factors
such as rainfall and relative humidity. Hence, there
is need to evaluate the profitability of raising
African land giant snail on large scale. Therefore,
the objective of the study is to determine the
profitability of raising African giant land snail
(Archachatina marginata) in the study area.
METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted in Osun State of
Nigeria, which lies within the tropical zone and in
the rain forest and savannah regions of Nigeria, and
has two distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts for
eight months and the dry season for four months.
A multistage sampling technique was used
in selecting snail farmers. Four Local Government
Areas (LGAs) and four villages from each LGA
were selected using purposive sampling procedure
based on snail production potential. Four
respondents were selected from each village using
snowball technique totaling sixty four. In all sixty-four respondents were sampled, and however, only
sixty copies questionnaires were used for analysis,
while four were rejected for inconsistency and
inadequate information.
Data were collected using a pre-tested,
well-structured questionnaire on socio- economic
characteristics of the farmers (sex, age, years of
experience, educational level); characteristics of
snail raising enterprise (enterprise size, sources of
breeding stock, production level, breeding
environment); quantities and prices of production
inputs and farm output, and major constraints to
raising of snails. Data collected were analyzed
using both descriptive statistics and enterprise
budgeting. Descriptive statistics (frequency
distribution, mean, median and percentages) was
used to analyze data on socio – economic
characteristics of the farmers, and of the enterprise
and major constraints to snail enterprise. Enterprise
budgeting was used to estimate return and costs to
snail enterprise to determine the profitability of the
enterprise. Both accounting and economic profits
were calculated. Accounting profit is revenue less
explicit costs (expenses) only, while economic
profit equals revenue less both implicit and explicit
costs (Dwivedi, 2001). Explicit costs are payments
for resource input purchased or hired by a firm in
the process of production, while implicit costs are
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the opportunity costs of self – owned resources
used by a firm (Leftwich, 1979). Depreciation was
computed using the straight line method with the
value of the used up material assumed to be zero.
Returns or revenue is the product of the quantity of
output and price per unit of output. The payback
period of the snail farming enterprise was also
estimated. The payback period of a project is the
number of years the project generates sufficient net
cash flows to cover the initial investment cost.
Depreciation = cost/economic life …….… (1)
Other derivatives from the budgetary analysis
include:
Gross margin (GM) = GR – TVC …...… (2)
Net Farm Income (NFI) = GM – TFC…... (3)
Where:
GR = Gross revenue, TVC = Total variable cost
TFC = Total fixed cost
Rate of return = average annual net revenue/cost
of the investment x 100 ..….…. (4)
Payback Period = amount of the investment /
expected annual net cash revenue ... (5)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socioeconomic characteristics of respondents
Data in Table 1 showed that farmers’ age
varied between 21 and 60 years. The modal age
bracket was between 31 and 40 years which
constituted 58 percent of the farmers interviewed.
Most of the respondents were within the
economically active age (58 percent), male (66.7
percent), married (75 percent), literate (100
percent) and part-time snail farmer (75 percent).
These features can imply that they might be
receptive to new ideas and adopt new improved
technologies and also suggest that snail enterprise
was a subsidiary source of income for majority of
the farmers.
Table 1: Summary of Socioeconomic
characteristics of snail farmers
Characteristics Distribution
(%)
Mean
(Years)
Age (Years)
21-30 16.7
31-40 58.0 37.0
41-50 16.7
51-60 8.3
Gender
Male 66.7
Female 33.3
Marital Status
Single 16.7
Married 75.0
Divorced/Widowed 8.3
Literacy Level
No Formal Education 8.3
Primary Education -
Secondary Education 25.0
Tertiary Education 66.7
Occupational
Structure
Full-time 25.0
Part-time 75.0
Other Occupation of
Part-Time
Trading 20.0
Civil Service 40.0
Artisan 15.0
Source: Field survey, 2007
The major problems encountered (in descending
order) were insect pest attack (soldier ants), lackof
funds and low level of egg production and low
hatchability (Table 2). Almost (88.3 percent) of the
respondents encountered low egg production and
low hatchability, probably due to genetic and
environmental factors. Some foundation stocks
were too old hence low level of egg production.
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Table 2: Constraints on snail production and proposed solutions
Problem No of farmers Distribution (%) Proposed Solutions
Snail theft 45 75 - Construction of fence
- Counting and trap
- Native device
Pest attack 60 100 - Use of oil
- Cleanliness
-Application of insecticides
Diseases 30 50 - Prompt disposal of dead
snails.
- Prompt removal of
wetting soil, food remnants
-Addition of calcium to soil
Low egg
production & low
hatchability
53 88.3 - Government setting up
demonstration centers that will
serves as source of improved
foundation stocks
Lack of funds 56 93.3 -Loan
Inadequate market 50 83.3 -Stimulate market
Source: Field survey, 2007
Business environmental characteristics of
respondents
The distribution of snail farmers by
business environment revealed that 53.3 percent
made use of a fenced environment while 30 percent
raised snail in their residential building (Table 3).
This showed that more than half of the respondents
preferred the use of fenced environment because it
reduces unwanted visitors from entering the pen
reducing environmental stress and disease
outbreak. Different types of housing were used
depending on capital, scale of production and
business environment. Half of the respondents
made use of wooden house because of the relative
ease of moving it from one location to the other.
The two common species found in the
area of study were Archachatina marginataand
Archatina achatina. About 43.3 percent of the
respondents used Archachatina marginataas their
foundation stock because they have more flesh
compared with Archatina achatina, while 40
percent used both Archachatina marginataand
Archatina achatinaas foundation stocks because
Archatina achatinaproduced more eggs than
Archachatina marginata. Almost (96.7 percent) of
the farmers feed their snails with pawpaw (leaf or
fruits) and cocoyam leaf while only 3.3 percent
feed their snail with vegetables and fruits. Breeding
of snails involve both natural and artificial
breeding. All (100 percent) of the farmers practiced
natural mating.
Table 3: Distribution of snail farmers by
business environment
Characteristics Distribution (%)
Business environment
Fence 53.3
Shaded tree 16.7
Residential building 30.0
Housing used
Wooden 50.0
Mud 16.7
Cement house 8.3
Basket 25.0
Species in the area of
study
Archachatina marginata 43.3
Archatina achatina 13.4
Archachatina marginata+
Archatina achatina
40.0
Not sure 3.3
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Feed and feeding patterns
Coco yam leaf 18.4
Pawpaw leaf 15.0
Pawpaw fruits 10.0
Vegetables and fruits 3.3
Pawpaw and cocoyam leaf 53.3
Breeding System
Artificial Nil
Natural 100
Source:Field survey, 2007
Costs and return in snail production
From Table 4 it was observed that on the
average, the estimated revenue realized from snail
enterprise raising 500 adult snails was N75, 000
while the Gross margin and Net income (profit)
were N32, 275 and N30, 375 respectively. Based
on these estimates the enterprise was profitable in
Osun State. The implicit cost items were land,
labour and investment outlay. Land was obtained
by high proportion of snail farmers through
inheritance. Labour was provided by snail farmer’s
family labour; and investment costs were obtained
from their personal savings and loans from friends
and relatives, which attracted no interest. The
explicit costs items were disinfectants, medication,
feeds (calcium carbonate, fruits and vegetables)
and fixed assets.
The total fixed cost was N21, 500 with
annual depreciation charge of N1, 900 (Table 5).
Annual depreciation charge is the annual explicit
expenses on fixed assets. The total annual explicit
cost is N16, 900. The accounting profit is therefore
N58, 100. The opportunity costs of owned –
resources used was N3, 000, which was the market
price on a piece of land used; N500/man day for
family labour and 15% per annum as earning in
alternative investment outlay.
Thus, net income / return to management was
Table 4: Average production costs and return
for snail farmers in Ile- Ife area per annum
Items NN
Revenue 500 matured at
N150 per Snail
75,000
Expenses
Family Labour 15,000
Feeding 8,000
Disinfectants 5,000
Medication 2,000
Transportation 5,000
Interest on
capital
7,725
Total Variable
Expense
42,725
Gross Margin 32,275
Fixed Cost
(Depreciation)
1,900
Net Income 30,375
Source: Field survey, 2007
N= Naira, Nigerian Currency, 1S US D = N135
Table 5: Costs of fixed assets of snail raising enterprise
Items Price/unit Quantity Cost Economic
Life
Depreciation
Land 30,000 0.1 3,000 15 years 200
Land improvement and
fencing
10,000 - 10,000 15 years 667
Breeding house 5000 - 5,000 15 years 333
Wooden boxes 500 3 1,500 5 years 300
Breeding stocks 200 10 2,000 5 years 400
Total 21,500 1,900
Source: Field survey, 2007
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International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development - 5 (1): 2012
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N30,375 this corroborates the already established
fact that snail farms was a subsidiary source of
income for almost all the farmers in the study area.
The net income/profit accounted for 40.5% of the
revenue. For as long as the expected return to
management is less than N30, 375, the enterprise
will give economic profits. It should be noted that
the snail farmers considered the opportunity costs
of their owned resources to be zero. The project
investment outlay fixed cost was N21, 500. In the
first year of operation, the total variable cost, when
all cost items are treated as explicit costs was N
42,725. Project investment outlay when all
resources are market priced was covered by net
cash inflow with excess at the end of first year
suggesting that snail enterprise was profitable.
Previous studies also indicated Snail farming was
highly profitable (Baba and Adeleke, (2006);
Ogunniyi, (2009))
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study examined the profitability of
raising snail on a large scale in the four Local
Government Areas of Ile-Ife in Osun State.
Specifically, the study focused on the
determination of the economic viability and
business environment of the enterprise. Results of
the analyses indicated that snail farmers were
mostly male, literate; within the active age bracket
of 21 – 60 years with the mean age of 37 years.
Snail farm was a subsidiary source of income for
most respondents while the main problems
encountered were insect pest attack, lack of funds,
low egg production and low hatchability (in
decreasing order). Most of the respondents used
woods for the construction of pens, fed the snail
with pawpaw leaves and cocoyam and they all
practiced natural mating. The study revealed that it
would be profitable to raise snail in the study area.
Given the result of this study, Federal
Government and other stakeholders in the
agricultural sector should let small scale farmers
have access to credit through micro finance
institutions. There is need to ensure high level farm
sanitation and medication to reduce pest attack.
Government should set up demonstration centers
that will serve as source of improved foundation
stocks.
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