Health benefits of snail farming in Imo state, Nigeria: a life science and biomedical approach

Snail farming links food production, life sciences, and biomedicine, offering not only economic benefits but also vital health advantages. This study investigated the health benefits of snails, described the socioeconomic characteristics of snail farmers, compared the price elasticity of demand for snails with other animal proteins, and identified the key factors influencing profitability in snail farming within the study area. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire for 150 selected respondents using snowball sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the elasticity model, the profit model, and ordinary least squares multiple regression. The results showed that 51.33% of respondents were male and 48.67% were female, with a mean age of 46 years, mean 6.8 persons per household, mean farming experience of 5.7 years, and 52.22% of respondents engaged in snail farming as their primary occupation. The price elasticity of demand for animal proteins was calculated, resulting in -0.24 for Archantina archantina and -1.10 for Archantina marginata. Snails were found to offer notable health benefits, including low cholesterol content, potential in asthma management, essential vitamins that aid in skincare and nutrients that support brain cell maintenance. The cost and return analysis revealed that a total of $235.67 was incurred, while $647.60 was realized from sales, resulting in a total profit of $411.92. Additionally, the factors affecting the profit of snail farmers were identified, including age, labour, stock size, and feed. The study recommended government intervention to scale up snail production and suggested that stakeholders in the snail industry adopt measures to promote both the production and consumption of snails.