Writer: Yamuna Nath Adress: Kanchanpur Heliciculture ,commonly known as snail farming ,is the process of raising edible land snails, primarily for human consumption or cosmetic use. The meat and snail eggs can be consumed as escargot and as a type of caviar respectively.Mucus commonly known as snail slime,has medical properties and is used in cosmetics .Perhaps the best known edible land snail species in the Western world is helix pomatia,commonly known as Roman snail or Burgundy snails.
This species is however not fit for profitable snail farming ,and normally harvested from nature.Commercial snail farming in the western world typically done with the corn aspersum (morphotypically divided into cornuaspersum aspersa and cornu asperrsum maxima )formerly known as Helix aspersa .In tropical climates snail farming is typically done with the African snail,which biologically does not fall in the family of Helicidae,and the meat of which therefore may not be called escargot. Snail meat has been consumed by humans worldwide since prehistoric times .It is high in protein (12-16%)and iron(45-50mg/kg),low in fat ,and contains almost all the amino acids needed by humans . A recent study has also shown that the glandular substances in edible snail meat cause agglutination of certain bacteria,which could be of value in fighting a variety of ailments ,including whooping cough. Edible snail also play important role in folk medicine.In Ghana,the bluish liquid obtained from the shell when the meat has been removed is believed to be good for instant development.The high iron content of the meat is considered important in treating anaemua. Nutritional value of snails: Like many other creepy-crawlies,snails are actually very high in protein while being low in carbohydrates. A 100g serving of snails will give you an impressive 16.5g of protein (around 9 less compared with chicken) and only 90 calories (less than half the amount of chicken). An average Snail is comprised of 80%water ,15%protein,and 2.4% of fat which is primarily healthy fat.Better yet ,snails contain only two grams of carbohydrates. They are quit high in cholesterol, but remember that cholesterol isn't actually bad for you per -say when consumed in the correct quantities. Vitamins: They are rich source of vitamins too and highly and incredibly packed with vitamins E,A,K and B12.Often cited as the"energy vitamin",B12 is needed for making red blood cells,keeping the nervous system healthy , releasing energy from the food we eat and processing folic acid.
Iron: Snails are also a good source of iron, essential for building red blood cells and carrying energy around the body . A lack of iron can lead to extreme fatigue and anemia. Minerals: At 3.5 milligrams per 100g, snails are actually higher in iron than beef and provide nearly half of your RDA.Also like beef,snails are high in potassium (382 milligrams) and high in magnesium(250milligrams)even when compared with chicken ,pork,beef or fish. Magnesium:
Snails are also a good source of magnesium, which our bodies need to maintain a normal blood pressure ,strengthen bones and also keep your heart beat regular.
Selenium:
We don't need much selenium in our bodies , but we do need some to keep a healthy immune system and to protect against damage. And snails contain selenium. BENEFITS OF SNAIL FARMING:
1.Snail rearing is a high profit-yielding farming venture when properly and professionally managed.
2.snail farming provides a cheap source of high quality animal protein for human consumption. Snail is a white meat therefore very healthy for consumption.
3.Starting a snail farm requires relatively low startup capital compared to other forms of animal farming.
4.Snail offal may be used as a source of protein and its shell as calcium source in animal formulated feeds.
5.The snail fluid (slime) is highly sought by cosmetic pharmaceutic companies due to its therapeutic contents. 6.Managing a snail farm is easier,less stressful and demanding as against other forms of animal farming.
7.Snails are a slow moving ,gentle and easy to control animal and therefore can serve as a job for all.
8.Due to the hermaphroditic nature of the african land snail ,they can easily multiply increasing your snail farming enterprise. 9.Snail breeding does not necessarily need strong vaccination or drug administration as snails are generally strong creature.
10.In the intensive snail farming method, a small land space can be used to rear thousands of snails.As a matter of fact ,it is the only animal that can be reared anywhere ;in used car tyres,cage,pen and even in umcompleted buildings.
11.snails can be kept as per for decoration when refined ,abrasive for washing household utensils and for manufacturing things such as plates ,jewelry ,etc.
12.Snails can be kept as pet for recretional and aesthetic purposes. 13.Snail droppings (faeces) is a very source of organic manure for green farming (crop production).
14.Snails are environmentally friendly and does not constitute any form of disturbance at all,the droppings are odourless, easily cleared and cleaned. Moreover,snail is noiseless, easy to handle and not aggressive.
15.The shell could be used for ornamental purposes.
16.Snail fit well into other farming activities helping to fertilize the soil prior to cultivation of otger other crops .
17.The shell could be used to replace bone meal in compounding ration for other animal feeding. The feed are cheap and are locally sourced.They feed primarily on plants and vegetable.Snail meat has both local and international market value.It can be sold here in Nigeria and exported to orher countries.Snails farming could be combined with other businesses and reared at the backyard.An exsiting fish farmer or poultry farmer can easily add snail farming without exsiting business being affected.There's a local believe that soup prepared with snail meat is good for pregnant women as it aids the movement of the baby in the womb, easy delivery and good source of iron for nursing mother.
No comments:
Post a Comment