Cucumber is one of the most popular vegetables widely consumed by every Nigerians in East, West, North, and South and in other countries.

Individuals whom are into Cucumber Farming business in Nigeria can testify how lucrative this business could be and the pleasure of investing in it.

So if you are interested in agriculture and looking for a good agricultural business to venture into in Nigeria, then you might want to consider cucumber farming business in Nigeria.

Cucumber, (Cucumis sativus) is known as a part of the Cucurbitaceae family and is considered to have originated in Nepal. Cucumbers are produced around the world with the U.S. being the fourth largest producer of country, after China, India, and Russia.

In Nigeria, for many years cucumber has been widely produced and has been serving as among the very important vegetables in the market; so if you have an interest in cucumber farming business in Nigeria, there is an open market that awaits you.

 State that grows cucumbers in Nigeria that country

In Nigeria, most people think that if you don’t live in the north then you won’t participate or do well in agriculture.

Well that is in no way true, so if you intend to plant your cucumber in any plant of the country, you can and will be successful in it so far that the  soil you are using in planting your cucumber is a healthy and fertile loamy soil and adequate supply of water.

Who can go into cucumbers farming business in Nigeria?

You don’t have to study agriculture in school or become a significant farming to set up this business and boom in it.

All you need is a keen interest in it and information on how to start.

And not to worry, I will include in this guide the information you need to know.

Health benefits of cucumbers

Cucumbers which can be regard as a fruits and also as vegetable are usually eaten raw, can also serve as an ingredient for garnishing in salads, soups and stew if possible or as accompaniments to various foods.

The fruit has a mild flavor, with a thin, tender, dark green skin that does not require peeling.

This nutritious and health benefiting fruit or vegetable is one that you can quickly lay your hands on or consume when you feel you need to normalize, regulate or nutrify your body system.

Cucumber can be benefiting to body, before we discuss the step by step on how to set up a cucumber farming business in Nigeria; here are few benefits of cucumber to the body.

• Cuts cancer risk; cucumber can aid in cutting down your risk of several cancers. Several studies show that by including cucumber in your diet your body have the benefit of fighting against cancers.

• Keeps your body hydrated; cucumber is 96 percent water; you will easily notice the gather of water when you chew it.

• Aids in weight loss and also reduces cholesterol; I know of most people who eat lots of cucumber to help in cutting down their weight. And cucumber has a compound called sterols that helps to reduce bad cholesterol. Since this lovely fruit is purely vegetable I don’t see why it shouldn’t be included in our daily diets.

• Refreshes the mouth and bad breath; Cucumber refreshes and heals diseased gums, leaving your mouth smelling good. If you have a bad breath or have a friend or relative who is fighting to get rid of bad breath, then here is a fruit you can use or recommend to them.

• Revives the eyes; we most times notice during facial treatment that a slice of cucumber are placed on the eye. This is not just an ordinary routine instead it is a form of reducing under-eye bags and puffiness.

• Helps in normalizing internal or external body heat; whenever you are feeling internal or external heat, you should eat cucumber, and your body will get relief from heartburn or heats.  Also you can apply cucumber on your skin, and you will get relief from sunburn and itchy skin.

• Nourishes you with vitamins; such as vitamins A, B and C, which usually boost immunity system, give you energy and keep you glowing.

• Steadies blood pressure; people who struggles with blood pressure; either high blood pressure or low blood pressure, can find relief to this by eating cucumber.

• Flushes out toxins and Keeps kidneys in shape; regular use of cucumber is known to flush out toxins that builds up in the body and it also dissolve kidney stones, lowers uric acid levels in our system.

• Alleviates muscle and joint pains; the vitamins and minerals in cucumber helps and stand as relieve to muscle and joint pain.

• Good for treating diabetics; Doctors usually recommend this for patients whom are diabetic. This is because cucumber contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.

• Supplies skin enhancements; cucumbers contain magnesium, potassium, silicon which is minerals that are very good skin enhancement and youthfulness.

• Helps in smoothing hair and nails; cucumber has silica which is a mineral that makes your hair and nails stronger and shinier.

These are few to mention on the health benefits of cucumber to the body and having written on this adorable fruit, lets now move to the main part we all have been waiting for; how to start Cucumber Farming Business in Nigeria.

Steps on how to start a Cucumber farming business in Nigeria

Make good research; make a good and adequate research on what cucumber is all about and how to grow one.

If you are reading this article now, then you have made a right choice.

It is all part of it and shows you really want to learn. It’s a good thinking that you want to enhance your knowledge before entering into your path of wealth in cucumber farming business. Thumbs up!

Make a business plan; the first step to take is to make a business plan which will help you organize and plan your farm the way it should be.

You might want to shy away from this thinking that it is unimportant but believe me it is. A well organized business is the path to it growth.

Get a perfect land and location; like I wrote before, one can plant cucumber in any state in the country. The type of land you choose contributes a lot to the success of your cucumber farming.

You should consider looking for a loamy-clay soil.

This is because as cucumbers need enough water as 90 percent of it contains water. So, therefore a loamy-clay soil can absorb and retain water.

And also cucumber needs enough sunlight, the land you intend to chose for planting should not have shades that will prevent sunlight from entering and also prevent your cucumbers from growing well.

And also chose land which the location is accessible, to aid in the easy transportation of your cucumbers and also for the buyers.

And also chose a location that you are comfortable with.

The size of the land can differ and this depends on the amount of money you have for purchasing or leasing the land; it could be in plots or in acres.

Getting the perfect seeds; another hug determinate of successful cucumber farming is the seeds.

Do not purchase U.S or Europe seeds because their climate is totally different from ours.

But you can purchase Thailand’s seeds, since their climate is almost same to ours.

They have their company here in Nigeria where you can purchase them.

Or if you still feel confused on the right seeds to use, you can possibly, feel free to walk into any International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) nearest to you and have them recommend you the best seeds.

On land preparation; before planting your cucumber, you need to first prepare the land effectively.

Clear the land and remove all weeds, for best results, pull the weeds up with your hand, pull up as much of the root as possible to prevent them from quickly growth back.

Make beds for appropriate and coordinated spacing.

Do not use herbicides to weeding because it can make the soil inappropriate for the cucumber growth.

Moisten the soil if it is dry, before planting and ensure that the pH of the soil is balanced; if possible, the pH of the soil should be fairly neutral-slightly alkaline, that is, pH level close to 7.0.

Fertilize the soil before planting your cucumber, you can use NPK 15:15:15 or you can also use organic manure but it is recommended that you use organic manure to make the soil natural and for the health of the crops.

Planting and methods; after getting the right seeds and preparing your land, now it is time to plant your cucumbers seeds, some farmers do plant them in nursery and then transplant them to the main field.

Either one you do is okay but it is highly recommended to plant your seeds directly to the farm because cucumbers have very fragile root systems, the act of transplanting could most times damage the plant if not carefully handled.

When planting in the field, push the cucumbers seeds slightly into the soil on the beds and this should be about 1 inch into the top of the soil.

The plantings space should be about 45.72 to 92.44 cm apart (for planting seeds or seedlings/transplanted seeds).

After planting the seeds, you should build up stakes at the sides of the beds to support the cucumber leaves as they grows.

This is because cucumbers are mostly climbers and so they generally, require supports to grow.

As soon as the seedlings sprout up, mulch the vacant soil with mulching films.

Mulching is an act of covering the vacant beds (where you did not plant the seeds.

Make opening for where you plant your seeds for growing) of the soil with long/roll of dark nylon which can be easily purchased in markets.

To put the mulch, use a shovel to open the sides at the edge of the beds and tuck the films in it.

The reason why you are mulching is because it is very good for keeping the soil warm and moist and also help in controlling the quick growth of weeds.

Note; If you intend to plant it in the nursery and then transplant the seedlings to the field, make sure you fertilize the soil.

Time for planting and irrigation; you don’t have to wait till rainfall before planting your cucumber.

Cucumber can be planted anytime of the years, provided that you provide it with enough and adequate water.

Be sure you make arrangement for the source of water. It could be from a nearby stream or from a borehole source which you could use sprinklers to spray.

And also, keep in mind to control erosion, too much damp or drought.

For weeding; weed with hand 20-30 days after planting.

Apply placid liquid fertilizer or preferably, organic fertilizer every two weeks

Try to prevent the leaves from turning yellow, but if it does, do apply high nitrogen fertilizer but do not over fertilize the plants.

Prevention of pest and diseases; the most important obstruction which will affect the successful growth of your cucumber farming business in Nigeria is pest and diseases.

Some flies which usually perches on the cucumbers leaves are good like the butterfly and bees, they do not eat the leaves but only perches on the leaves during the day because of the brightness of the cucumbers flower but some insects which eats the leave destroys the plant.

Pests like anthracnose, mildew, mosaic, lady bird, beetles and grasshoppers are among the leave destroyers.

Target when they use to come and spray insecticides at regular intervals to control these pests.

Also try to control monkeys, cow, cattle and goats, these animals eats the leaves and fruits as they grows which causes loss in your cucumber productions.

Some diseases like Alternaria leaf blight, Angular leaf spot, Anthracnose, Aphids etc should be looked out for and prevent.

Harvesting your cucumber and marketing; cucumber are harvested when they are immature and green in color. You do not harvest cucumbers when it is ripe; if you do so, the fruits will be yellow in color; nobody will like to buy this kind of cucumber.

The maturity days of cucumber is between 40-45 days; though this depends on the type of seeds you buy.

When buying the seeds, you can ask them when the maturity days are, to prevent making mistakes.

Harvesting is done manually with hands and should to be handled with care to prevent bruises and damages.

After harvest, wash them quickly in a basin of water and arrange them carefully in bags ready for sell.

Though before that, you should have find buyers who are interested in purchasing the fruit to prevent it from spoiling after storage.

Because of how popular cucumber fruits is in Nigeria, looking for buyer are not really that difficult.

You can find buyer in there market, look for market women whom have interest in purchasing and already in the business.

Market your cucumbers before the harvest period and customer will be ready to buy them provided they are sweet and tender.

If you are done reading this article, am sure you see that investing in cucumber farming business in Nigeria is really not that hard, if  the labor will be too hard for you depending on the size of your land; then you can employ additional hard working assistants whom are ready to work.

In today’s post, we’re going to be discussing layer poultry farming.

After reading this post, you can attend our practical training which will give you the opportunity to visit our nearby associate’s layer poultry farm.

If you really want a detailed and practical layer farming training, we can give you the opportunity to visit our associate layer poultry farmer close to you.

Click Here to see how you can be part of our practical training.

In agriculture, there is always an opportunity for making it big because it is not an easy thing to feed a whole nation be it big or small.

Layer Poultry farming in Nigeria is one popular investment that has been on for many years.

One important thing in agriculture is that every business investment be it, layer farming, cattle farming, rice production, goat farming, cucumber farming and even grasscutter farming has its contributions to the nation and society at large.

So if you are investing in agriculture, have a rest of mind that you will have your gain provided that you follow the right majors.

Poultry farming in general is an act of rearing birds either boilers, turkey and so on.

Layer poultry farming is an act of raising or producing eggs from layers poultry birds for the purpose of commercial egg production.

Different from boilers, layers chickens or birds are special birds which produces eggs that are been consumed all over the world.

This chicken needs to be raised from when they are one day old to their maturity dates of laying eggs.

Nigeria has been doing well in layer poultry farming business for many years, as individuals or farming who have engaged in it, they have worked so hard and have acquired high technically and professionally competent guidance which are available to fellow farmers.

They therefore have made provision of High quality chicks, equipment, vaccines and medicines that will aid in the frequent production of layers birds and eggs respectively.

Depending on the size of your farm, layer poultry farming can be a main source of family income or can provide subsidiary income and gainful employment to farmers throughout the year.

Since egg is among the highly consumed food items in Nigeria and also around the world simultaneously, engaging in layer poultry farming is a business opportunity for anyone who is interested and also determined to make it in it.

One thing you should know is that, no matter the amount of people rearing Layer birds for egg production, it won’t still be enough for the high amount of people consuming it; there is an extreme large open market for it.

To make it big in layer farming business, you should not look at your business as little or in any anyway belittle it; you should bear in mind that you will be setting up a “commercial layer poultry farming business”.

This is because commercial layer poultry farming business entails having layer birds that will be producing eggs in frequent and higher quantity to meet up with the market demands because you are not producing eggs for the sole aim of you and your family consumption.

And this will be the situation whereby you will sought for modern methods, employ the help of a veterinarian,  improve the well being of your birds through the use of properly recommended medications, do a thoroughly research and might even employ addition laborers to assist you because it would be exhausting doing it alone.

Do not worry; this article will cover every major step you need to follow in other to succeed in your layer poultry farming business.

Different Between Layers and Boilers Birds

Broiler birds are birds that are grown for meat consumption but the layers birds are well known for producing eggs in higher quantity which is why they are called “layers”.

For commercial egg production, we use the layers birds.

They can also serve as a source of meat.

Though the boilers are well known for serving as meat immediately it reach its maturity age, but the layers birds cannot be used for meat immediately it mature instead it starts laying eggs and then be sold  as a meat, after 2-3 years of egg production depending on how strong the chickens are.

Nutrition values of eggs to the body

Egg is an inexpensive popular food which is a source of high quality protein.

The inside of the egg is divided into the white part and the yellow part known as the egg yolk.

The white part is  known for its high source of protein, vitamin B2 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper which are the more reason older individual prefer taking the egg yolk.

The egg Yolk; which is the yellow spherical part of an egg that is surrounded by the albumen that contains more calories, fat, cholesterol, fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and Lecithin (which is the compound that enable emulsification in recipes such as hollandaise or mayonnaise.)

Though some eggs now contain omega-3 acids but this depends on the kind of feed the chicken was fed.

Having looked on the nutritional values of egg, let’s now move on to how to set up a layer poultry farming business in Nigeria.

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If you really want a detailed and practical layer farming training, we can give you the opportunity to visit our associate layer poultry farmer close to you.

Click Here to see how you can be part of our practical training.

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How to Set Up a Layer Poultry Farming Business in Nigeria

1) Make good research

Remember how I wrote that if you intend to set up profitable layer poultry farming business, then it should be a commercial layer poultry farming, this will require you to do a thoroughly research because the chicken you will have will be many probably 500 in quantity or greater than or probably below (depending on your pocket).

You have to lay your hand on every available material or guide that will guide like this one you are reading right now.

Even after you have set up your layer poultry farming business, you still have to keep on learning, go to seminars, request for counseling, and consult reputable experienced owners of layer poultry farms or those who can provide the service.

2) Set up a business plan

Our first step is to set up a formal business plan which will be a well planned documentation of how you intend to set it up.

It should include on how you intend to start whether big or small, the amount you intend to start with, the size of the land you will need, the type or method you will be using etc.

Remember if you have a well documented business plan it will help you to acquire a faster loan if you intend to acquire one and it will also give you a good idea of what your business will look like.

3) Selecting a perfect land and location

You should select a land location on an accessible area where it will be easy for the movement and transportation of eggs and bringing of feeds or equipment.

And also the land location should be easy to locate and should not be within the neighborhood so that people who live around there will not be complaining about air pollution.

So your farm should be a bit far from the neighborhoods or crowed areas where people are living.

The area should also be a place where there is provision of electricity and clean water because you will need them a great deal in the management of your chicken.

And the area should not have or be a water logging and flooding area or nearby it.

4) Construction of your layer pen.

In constructing your layer poultry house, you should look for a constructor who know how to do it well.

The house should be well ventilated, comfortable, easy to clean, enough entrance of light and should provide sufficient area for the comfort of the birds which will enable the good growth of the chicken and efficient production of eggs.

The layer’s house should be constructed in such a way that the end walls faces the  East- West direction and the side walls faces North-South direction, so that rain fall will not enter  into the house.

You should build the house so that the temperature should be 20-25 C.

The roof of the house should be strong and water resistant and there should be hard concrete flooring for easy cleaning.

Construct house/sheds in such a way that predators like cats, dogs, snakes, flies and mosquitoes will not enter into the house/pens.

Also ensure to avoid entrance of rats by constructing rat proof pens/house.

Depending on what you want, but know that the height of the house should be 3-4 feet from the foundation to the roof of the house.

And also, do not forget to build a room or space for brooding.

5) System of the layer housing

This is the method or system you will use in rearing your chickens in the poultry house, its either cage system or deep litter system.

I will explain them.

Since you will be setting up a commercial layer poultry farming business; so therefore it will be an intensive system and not a back-yard system because your chickens will be many and you don’t want them wandering up and down. The intensive comprises of battery cage system and deep litter system.

Battery Cage system; this system includes organized cages in the chicken house that will separate the water, feed and how the eggs will stay when laid.

Deep litter system; this system involves when you cover the concrete floor with saw dust, rice hulks or chopped wheat straw and hang the feed and water containers to the reach of the chickens.

6) Selecting the breed for your layers

There are some breeds which are known for lay white eggs and some breeds which are known to lay brown eggs.

The breeds that lay white eggs or eggs with white shell are;

• Isa White
• Lehman White
• Nikchik
• Bab Cock BV-300
• Havard White
• Hi Sex White
• Sever White
• Hi line White
• Bovanch White etc

And the breeds that are known to lay brown eggs or eggs with brown shell are;

• Isa Brown
• Hi Sex Brown
• Sever 579
• Lehman Brown
• Hi Line Brown
• Bab Cock BV-380
• Gold Line
• Bablona Tetro
• Bablona Harko
• Havard Brown etc

There are also other good commercial chickens like; white Leghorn, Kalinga Brown, Coloured Layer and Cari Gold.

If possible when purchasing the chicks asked for the best product.

7) Brooding your chicks and Caring for all stages

Brooding also known as incubating is the caring of the chicks from day 1 -88 weeks of age or to the Growers age.

This is done so as to prevent chick’s mortality and provide good growth by providing warmth to the chicks.

Brooding can be done in two different ways;

Natural brooding; this is when the mother hen directly provides the chicks with warmth.

Artificial brooding; this is when you provide warmth artificially to the chicks in the absent of the mother hen.

It is highly recommended since you are setting up commercial layer poultry farming.

It is usually done in deep litter housing for best result.

Brooding your little chicks; before the arrival of the chicks, you should prepare where they will be staying because they need to be handled with care.

And also employ the help of a veterinarian.

• The room/space, walls, ceilings and equipment should be thoroughly washed, and disinfected.

• The water lines and channel should be clean and ready.

• Design the brooder so it should be in a circular form. You can use thick nylon to get the best results of the room temperature.

• Heat up or warm the room to a degree of 90-95 F. And make sure there is sufficient and constant electricity or light.

• Spray clean saw-dust or chopped wheat straw on the floor of the brooder room.

After the arrival of the chicks, you should take highly good care of them to avoid mortality because they are fragile.

The chicks will be in this stage for 0-8 weeks, before taken to the grower stage.

Measures to take in caring for the chicks are;

Caring for the young chicks (0-8 weeks);

• Always inspect them daily to know their condition.

• Put the water and feed to the chicks reach and always wash the equipments every day.

• There should always be constant light or electricity.

• The room should start with a temperature of 95 till a constant temperature of 75 is attained.

• You should de-beak them at the 3^rd week of age or when recommended by the veterinarian. This is to prevent them from breaking or drinking their eggs when they start laying eggs.

• Multivitamins and recommended medication by the veterinarian should be given to them.

• Starters feed should be given to them as recommended.

• Any died chicks should be disposed off immediately

Caring for the Growers (9-20 weeks); this is the middle stage of the chicken, at this stage, they are no longer chicks or either layers; they are growers.

• De-beaking can be done, if it hasn’t be done.

• They should be transferred to the grower’s house if you have one.

• There should be a provision of light at least 12 hours a day and there should be controlled ventilation.

• Feed them growers mash.

• Multivitamins and recommended medication by the veterinarian should be given to them.

• Feed and water should be at their reach and always wash the equipment every day.

• Any died growers should be disposed off immediately

Caring for the layers (21-72 weeks); at this stage, the chickens have passed the chicks and growers stages and it’s now ready to start laying eggs.

• Enough ventilation should be provided for them.

• Layers mash or feeds should be given to them.

• To avoid damage; Inspect and collect their eggs 4-5 times per day (depends on their level of production).

• Enough water and feed should be given to them, to encourage high production and the water and feed equipment should be leveled to their reach.

• Change the litter or used saw-dust when necessary and put another new ones to avoid the sprayed of disease. Know that you can sell this used litters to farmers as compose manure; this can serve as an additional income to you.

• Always wash the feeding and watering equipment.

• Died layers should be disposed off immediately.

8) Feeding and medication

In layer poultry farming business in Nigeria and in other countries, feeding and medication is one of the things that costs too much.

These feeds and medication are highly required by the layers for good production of eggs.

There are different types of feeds for all stages. Feed your layers well with water and medications as recommended by the veterinarian.

9) Diseases that can affect your layers

I have always mentioned that you need to employ the help of a veterinarian and this is because layers can be affected by different diseases which could be as a result of fungi, bacteria, cold or virus etc. without the help of a veterinarian, you might be confused on what to do at first or which medication to use.

Know that, as times goes on, you will be learning a lot from the veterinarian.

Examples of disease are;

• New castle disease

• Marek’s disease

• Salmonellisis

• Fungal Disease

• Colybacillosis etc…

10) Marketing and selling your eggs

After picking your eggs, arrange them neatly in creates ready for customers.

Though you should have marketed your eggs when your layers started laying eggs to encourage customers and selling fresh eggs; take a little quantity of the produced eggs and market them to the market women, supermarkets, hotels etc.

Every business needs hard work to succeed, if you intend to make it big in layer poultry farming business in Nigeria without hard work; then I’m afraid you are as well trying to fill a basket with water.

Know that, if you are truly determined, hardworking and practice the required method, then soon enough you will be counting your huge profits.

 If you really want a detailed and practical layer farming training, we can give you the opportunity to visit our associate layer poultry farmer close to you.

PS; This post could be downloaded as PDF (How to start a Layer Poultry farming business in Nigeria)

Click Here to see how you can be part of our practical training.

Snail farming

If you are into agriculture business in Nigeria you will understand and agree with me that every agricultural product could be a source of wealth, be it crops, animal husbandry or by products and even snail farming business in Nigeria.

Today we want to discuss snail farming with you.

After reading this comprehensive post, you may contact us if you want to visit one of our associate snail farms, to come and see and learn snail farming, practically, on our associates’ snail farm near you

We have our associate farms in more than 13 states of Nigeria and we allow few people to visit our farm to learn, practically on our associates’ snail farm

I will also give you our phone number, should you need our help.

In fact, you can use our experienced snail farmers to help you set-up your own snail business, professionally.

(See details HERE)

Make sure you read till the end…

Introduction to Snail Farming in Nigeria

Snail rearing is a business opportunity  which is sometimes overlooked because most people feel it can never be a source of income or wealth.

Aside that, some people also felt and have the conception  that snail farming can never be regard as a  business because people can easily pick up snail in the farms after rainfalls for consumption  without setting them up as a business.

That’s the reason why animal husbandry like poultry farming, piggery and fishery are more popular.

However, even despite that, snail farming as a business enterprise is one of the numerous approaches which will and has successfully transforms Nigeria’s subsistence agriculture.

The opportunities in snail rearing by far outweigh its challenges or problems.

Snail farming in Nigeria requires small capital and the working capital may be very low, compare to other animal husbandry like poultry, fishery, cattle rearing, goat farming, etc.

This is so because snail’s feeds are very native, national or local.

However, snail farming business in Nigeria is a type or kind of agricultural venture that if one ventures in it diligently, he/she would not have any cause to regret.

Know that the demand for snail is large in Nigeria as such the market potential of snail is inexhaustible, domestically and internationally

so if you feel that you are not selling as much  as you expect in Nigeria, then feel free to export your snail to other countries who also have a high demand for it.

Snail farming business can be very profitable in Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, South Africa, and Nigeria.

But in Nigeria, snail farming  business is not highly considered and put into consideration as how it is been done in other countries.

In Australia and USA, snail farming is a big business, providing opportunities to many farmers.

In UK, snails can be seen in many supermarkets and stores.

Looking on how serious other countries has taken  snail rearing business, you will permit me to write in this article that we are really in a great deal lacking behind in snail production in Nigeria.

One thing you should know about snail farming (Heliciculture) which is the process of raising land snails specifically for human consumption or use is that, snail rearing is as easy as ABC.

The only considerable thing the rearing of snail requires is your attention, care and good management.

Another thing you should know is that snails reproduce rapidly.

They are capable of producing 100 eggs or more during reproduction.

The discovery of the Achatina Achatina, which is also referred to as giant Ghana snail or giant tiger land snail is very high prolific specie of snail which has the potential can lay up to 1,000,000 eggs or more.

I am sure you will agree with me now, that snail farming business in Nigeria could be indeed a profitable business.

Don’t forget you can come to our associates’ snail farm near you, to come and learn snail farming, practically.

Click HERE

Snail farming in Nigeria & the by-products of Snails

Snails are very sluggish in movement and due to this attribute it has traditionally been a symbol of laziness.

Snails are usually found in the forest or bush areas and are very active at night.

But nevertheless, this sluggish little creatures has high benefit that some of us who usually consumes snails has no idea that it has; from using it in producing other products to its healthy benefits.

Some of the byproducts of snail

If you really and ready to enter into snail farming in Nigeria you should be fully aware of the snail’s nutrients, its by-products or usefulness.

This is recommended so that when marketing your snail, your customers might be triggered to purchase your product if you inform them about things they don’t know about snail.

Same goes for every business.

Aside from eating snail as food, snail and most of its part can be used for other things.

Snail shell

This is the outer and harder part of the snail which the snail uses as protection from their predator or from danger.

Most times or sometimes, snail shell can be used for traditional medicine, ornament or beads, decorations, cowries or for local tools.

Snail eggs or snail caviar

These are the reproduced part of the snail (snail eggs) which will gradually transfer into adult snail.

Most people eat snail eggs or snail caviar; it is sometimes put into soups or been prepared for the sole aim of consumption, but for business purpose, it is advisable to preserve your snail eggs for reproduction.

Snail Slime. 

This is a kind of mucus, an external bodily secretion which is produced by snails, gastropod mollusks.

It is jelly in nature. Apart from the part of snail which is been consumed as food, another important part of the snail is the snail slime.

Snail slime contains 91-98% water.

The slime is filtered multiple times to increase its concentration and ensure its purity.

Snail slime could be used for various purposes such as;

For traditional medication; long ago, snail slime was traditionally used medicinally from ancient Greece to the middle Ages internally against gastrointestinal ulcers, and in the form of syrup, to soothe a cough. Though now, some people believe in it healing capability and still also use it.

Use in the treatment of burns; In Cameroon, snail slime has also been used by the Bamiléké people of Cameroon to treat burns.

Use for cosmetics; if you do not know, now you know it; snail slime can be used for cosmetics and it has numerous benefits.

Know that most of these cosmetics snail slime are usually extracted from a snail variety known as Cornu Aspersum (previously Helix Aspersa).

• Snail slime is filled with nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein, proteoglycans, antimicrobial and copper peptides, which are commonly used in beauty products and proven to be beneficial for the skin. Though, these properties help to protect the snail’s skin from damage, infection, dryness and UV rays and likewise beneficially to human skin.
• For serums, facial masks, moisturizers and fading creams-; Snail secretion filtrate is widely used in Korean for beauty products. And these secretions have a neutral look, smell and texture.
• Snail mucin can be used to treat dry skin, wrinkles and stretch marks, acne and rosacea, age spots, burns, scars, razor bumps and even flat warts.It can also be used for anti-aging properties that it aids to kindle the development of collagen and elastin. It protects skin from free radicals, soothe skin, repair damaged tissues and restore hydration.

Having discussed the by-products and the usefulness of snails, lets quickly look at the health benefits of snail

Snail Farming & Health Benefits of Snail

These are the nutrients and vitamins that are been provided by snail for body regulations.

• Snail contains choline (an important water-soluble vitamin).  This choline is known to be required in building and maintaining healthy cell membranes, protecting the liver from fat accumulation, help transport triglycerides from the liver, has the ability to break down fat so it is useful to prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and also essential for the fetus and infants to help the growth of the brain, therefore, the baby should drink breast milk that rich in choline.

• Snail contains high levels of magnesium; which is needed for more than 325 enzymatic reactions, together with been  involved in the synthesis of fats, proteins and nucleic acids, neural activity, muscle contraction and relaxation, cardiac activity and bone metabolism.

• Snail is high in selenium which are important minerals and nutrients that fights diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It is also powerful antioxidants that help to prevent the aging and hardening of tissues through oxidation.  Selenium minerals can be found in every cell of the body, which is mainly in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes.

• Snail contains Omega-3 fatty acids which is very useful for preventing diseases related to the heart because omega 3 can make arterial organ becomes more elastic than that, omega 3 can reduce the risk of high blood pressure. This Omega 3 is also good for improving eye health in general. In 100 grams of snails also contained 100 UI Vitamin A that is good for the eyes. And also assist in the development of the brain and memory of children. Omega-3 is very good to advance our brain health because it affects the growth of cell membranes in the neurological system in the brain. In addition, omega 3 can improve memory so it is suitable for those who often forgetful. Lastly, Children who frequently consume omega 3 it is very good to help the physical and mental development of children.

• Snails contain high percentage of protein (12-16%) and irons (45-50 mg/kg) they are low in fat and also contain almost all the amino acids needed by humans.

• Snail meat has a high medicinal value known to control hypertension and its blue liquid is used in stopping excessive bleeding from open wounds.

Don’t forget you can come to our associates’ snail farm near you, to come and learn snail farming, practically.

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How to Start a Snail Farming/Rearing Business in Nigeria

• Be determined.
• Set up a business plan for your snail business.
• Determine your cost or capital.
• Select a fertile land and type of soil.
• Housing and Using of intensive system.
• Selecting the right breed and stocking.
• Feed your snail appropriately.
• Healthy management.
• Reproduction and maturity.
• Harvesting.
• Marketing your snail.
• Other issues; include possible pests and diseases.

Now that we have listed the points that we will be discussing about, now let’s explain them one after the other.

1)    Be determined

It is one thing to think of a business plan, it is also another thing to be determined, set it up and nurture it till it grows.

To set up a snail farming business in Nigeria, you must be really determined and be sure that this is what you want to do.

No business is easy, not even snail farming in Nigeria.

Remember when you are determined, you loss procrastination.

2)   Write a business plan for your snail business

In setting up a snail farming business in Nigeria, you must setup a perfect business plan for it.

A good business is one that has a business plan which is why I always use to emphasize on this when letting down a guard .

A business that has a business plan is one that has the high potential of succeeding well.

It is so because a business plan entails the amount of capital you intend to start with, your estimated gain, the amount of money you intend to spend in purchasing of equipment or building your facilities, the number of snail you’re starting with, etc, plus your marketing strategies.

When all these are documented, it will give you an insight of the direction your business is heading to; that is if you are gaining or losing in your snail farm business; this also applies to other business.

Another good reason why you should have a good business plan is because whenever you are in need of a loan, a good business plan would back you up to secure a faster loan from investors because the investors could see you as being serious and having a good insight into the snail business.

3)   Determine your cost or capital

You should determine the scale and the amount of money you intend to start your snail farming business with.

Do you want to start the snail farming small or do you want to start big?

These are among the questions you should have an answer to before you start.

Some people start with a huge capital, while other start with little capital then as time goes on, they put in more snails as the profit grows.

This all depends on the size of your pocket, remember; the one good thing about snail farming business is that you can start it with low capital.

4)   Selecting a fertile land and type of soil

When selecting a land for starting your snail farming business in Nigeria, select lands that are plain with adequate shade and the soil should not be waterlogged.

It must be balanced and it should not be too dry, and also it must not be acidic.

If possible, the most desirable and recommended type of soil for snail farming is sandy-loamy or loamy soil with low water holding capacity.

The reason why you need a good loamy soil for rearing your snail is because snails derive calcium which is used for forming its shell from the soil and it also gets its water from the soil and lays its eggs on soil.

So therefore, Snails cannot be reared on concrete floors.

5)   Snail farming housing and using of intensive system

If you intend to construct and rear your snail in a snail pen, tank or drum and not on an open place or farm, then you are still on point.

This method is highly recommended, because you will keep a close watch on your snail and they also won’t be able crawl away in different direction.

When constructing this pen, tank or drum, or even in trampolines, it can be high or low fenced.

For those of you who intend to construct a high fenced pen, the walls should be a dwarf wall with bricks of about 1.5m high built all around it and it should have wire gauze at the top.

You should try to prevent ants or insects (who are snail’s predators) by digging some trenches around the underneath or foundation of the fence and pour some engine oil on it; this will help in prevent the gathering of ants or insects.

This same application goes for those constructing low fenced pens.

If you intend to construct a concrete floored snail pen; you should cover the ground of the soil with soil, (loamy soil) to give the snails a better condition.

Note; it is better and highly recommended that when constructing your snail pen (house for your snail), you build a pen that has a bare soil on the floor, and not cement it. Put fresh leaves or damp the soil to make the snail feeling at home. 

(6)  Selecting the right breed and stocking for your snail farm.

After constructing your snail pen, now it’s time to stock your snail pens with snails.

When selecting or getting your snail, you should select snails that are fresh; they should also have hard shells without damage, patches or nodes on the surface.

Also look for the ones that are sexually matured which weigh heavily.

There many species of nails in Nigeria. And they are;

• Zebra Nerite snail
• Tracked Nerite snail
• Horned Nerite snail
• Sulawesi snail
• Pond snail
• Apple snail

The best species are known as Achatina Fulica, Achatina Achatina and the Archachatina Marginata but for rearing snail, it is better and highly recommended that you get the Achatina Achatina (also known as giant Ghana snail or giant tiger land snail.)

The reason why it is recommended that you rear Achatina Achatina snail species is because it is big in nature, and most especially, this snail can lay many eggs up to over one thousand each year. This kind of massive reproduction is good snail farming business in Nigeria.

7)    Feeding your snail.

Like I wrote before, rearing snail or snail farming is really not costly which is why it is a good business to venture into, feeding your snail is really not costly because snail feeds on fruits, sweet potato, cassava tuber, soya bean, maize chaff, palm kernel cake, fish meal, tomatoes, cocoyam, pawpaw fruits, cucumber and leaves, plantains, bananas, cabbage, lettuce leaves and guava fruits.

As you can see, snails are carefree animals that are not really selective of foods.

Just make sure that whatever fruit or food you are giving them is salt free that is, it has no salt.

8)    Snail farming healthy management

Just because we having been saying that snails don’t fall sick as much or that snails are easy to manage does not mean you should not take care of your snail.

There is much mortality in snail, as it is in other animal husbandry too.

You should remember to take adequate care of your snail.

Put in mind that it is your business and source of income and don’t just treat it anyhow.

Know when to provide it food. Feed your snails regularly morning and night with drinking water and also avoid mixing with salt, mixing fruits and tuber leaves.

Always try to frequently clean the feed and water dishes and give them good water. Also Earthworms added to the soil help keep the pen clean

9)    Snail farming reproduction and maturity.

Male and female snails fertilize each another, after mating which may take several hours, they lay their eggs in depressions under logs or fragments.

Though they start laying white eggs 8-12 months when they are sexually mature, Snail eggs hatches between 4 to 6 weeks.

After hatching, the baby snail stays in the soil for 2-5 days.

Then the baby should be put in a separate pen to give it available space to grow.

Moreover, it usually takes up to 1½ to 2 years to grow to adulthood. A well matured snail should have a thick, harder and if possible big brim/shell.

10)     Other issues on snail farming; include possible pests and diseases

You should look out for possible pest or disease that could harm your snail.  Parasites, nematodes, trematodes, fungi, and micro arthropods can attack snails, and such problems can spread rapidly when snail populations are intense. Also look out for and prevent rats, mice, moles, skunks, weasels, birds, frogs, toads, lizards and walking insects.

These are pests that could harm your snail.

11)   Harvesting your snail.

When your snails are all matured, harvest them for selling.

Do not sell your snail when it is not yet mature.  It is advisable not to harvest all the snail at once this is it is important so as to keep some for breeding and to serve as base stock for your snail farm.

12)  Marketing your snail

Though it is better to do this before harvesting, sample your snail to available buyers who might be interested.

Market your snail to market women, hotels, joints and also restaurants.

But before you do this, do a market research to know how much snail cost in the market.

This will help you know the price to which you will be selling yours; so as not to sell above the normal price or below the normal price.

Snail Farming Diseases

This section was reserved till now because it could be boring.

Below are some of the diseases odd snails you may want to be familiar with.

We may write details on them later on this blog.

• Operculum detoriation: holes, loss of operculum
• Snail inactivity
• Loss of tentacles or small tentacles
• Hole in the shell
• Thin and fragile shell
• Body disformation
• Detoriation of shell and operculum
• Oedema
• Discoloration in new shell
• Intoxications
• Rough shell surface in new shell parts
• Reproduction problems
• Irregular growth of the shell
• Egg problem

Etc.

Now you see; setting up a snail farming business in Nigeria has a lot of advantage from having a low cost in setting up to easy management.

Snail farming business in Nigeria is among the lucrative agricultural business opportunity that most people who knows the worth are embarking on.

The secret of making millions in any business is to master your game, dream big, try to differentiate yourself from competitors and work smarter.

Final Note

If you’re truly serious about starting your own snail farming business in Nigeria, our company can help you.

We’ll give you the opportunity of coming to our associate’s snail farm and get a practical training on the farm.

Our experienced farmer can even help you set-up your snail farm, professionally.

We’ll also give you our phone number and our free book.

Click HERE now