J.M. OMOYAKHI

An appraisal of the management practices of snail farming in Benin Metropolis of Edo State, Nigeria was done. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the snail management practices according to management systems and culture practices, the level of snails output, cost, returns and profitability from the management practices, and the constraints to snail production in the study area were the specific objectives of the study. Snow balling sampling technique was adopted to identify a total of 30 snail farmers in the study area and this formed the sample size for the study. Data collection was done through the use of structured questionnaire, direct observation, and personal interview. The work was analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and likert scale. The results showed that majority of the respondents were males (83.4%) between the age bracket of 41 and 50 (40%), married (33.4%), had farming experience of 0-4 years (53.3%) and had tertiary education (56.7%). The results also showed that majority of the snail farmers adopted management practices that are in line with best standard practices and had average stock size and average output of 4317.8 snails each. The cost and return analysis revealed that for snail farms that are 2 to 3 years old, TC incurred during the production period was N1,157,631.00(100%), while TR of N2,225,861.20 was realized with a NFI of N1,068,230.00(92.2%) and NROI was N0.92. For snail farms that are 4 years and above, average TC incurred was N6,404,840.70 (100%) while TR was N16,138,530.00 and NFI was N9,733,689.30 (152.70%). NROI was N1.52. Results about constraints facing the snail farmers in the study area showed that only 3 of the 12 constraints presented were rated as serious, which are low capital (2.68), epileptic power supply (2.75) and inaccessibility to land (3.0). It was concluded that the management practices adopted by majority of the snail farmers were in accordance to best standard practices and that snail farming is a very profitable venture as justified by a NROI of N1.52. It was recommended that low income earners and women be sensitized to venture into snail farming, snail farmers be encouraged to restock foundation stock every 2 months to guarantee regular income, the need by government to establish snail research and breeding institutes, make funds readily available to farmers, encourage programs that provides farms inputs free of charge to farmers and mop up the produce, and finally, policy formulation drive of government be channeled towards achieving large scale snail production in Nigeria. Key: TC= Total cost, TR= Total Revenue, NFI= Net Farm Income, NROI= Net Return on Investment.

This study was carried out to comparatively study different snail production systems using crops as cover. The systems evaluated were open and screened paddocks in comparison with the conventional paddock. In the open and screened paddocks, four different crops (Pueraria phaseoloides, Centrosema mole, Calapogonium mucunoides and Manihot esculenta) were cultivatedtosimulate the natural environment of the snails. The snails were allowed to live on the crops as applicable in the wild for the first 6 weeks, after which concentrate was introduced for another six weeks, while conventional feeding materials like pawpaw leaves, fruits and water leaf were utilized in the conventional paddock. A total number of three hundred and twenty (320)apparently healthy Archachatina marginata with a liveweight between 50 to 60 g were used in the study, which was laid out in a 2 X 4 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. Data collected on growth, reproduction, environmental temperature and relative humidity were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using GenStat version 12.0 statistical software. Significant level was taken at P < 0.05. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the weight of the snails among the four cover treatments when compared based on the production systems. The snails in the Mucuna, Centro, Puero, and Cassava screened paddock recorded 10.75, 5.90, 5.63, and 4.43 g weight gain, respectively, while the snails reared under the open paddock in Mucuna, Puero, Centro and Cassava had weight gain of 4.28, 3.7, 2.9 and-2.8grespectively. The snails in the conventional paddock had an average weight gain of 6.5g. The snails reared under Cassava in the screened paddock laid the highest average number xxiii of eggs (10). Snails from the Mucuna pen in the screened paddock had a bigger averagesize of eggs (20 mm) while the Snails from the Centro pens in the screened paddock had the highest average egg weight (1.30 g). The incubation period ranged between 26.5 and 32 days. Eggs laid by snails in the Centrosema pen in the screened paddock recorded 100%hatching. The average temperature recorded at 0, 6 and 12 weeks for Open paddockwere39.43, 37.98 and 45.05 oC; for screened paddock were 36.19, 36,67 and 42.76oC and conventional paddock were 39.75, 39.10 and 45.05 oC respectively. The relative humidity recorded in the open paddock at 0, 6 and 12 weeks were 77.31, 63 and 65.11%; the screened paddock were 77.31, 66.63 and 71.56 % and the conventional paddock were 78.75, 68.75 and 67.50 %, respectively. It was concluded that rearing snails under a screened paddock did not only help to regulate the temperature and relative humidity of the snailsimmediate environment but also protects the snails from intruders, predators, and escape, which are the major factors responsible for successful snail farming.

This study was carried out to comparatively study different snail production systems using crops as cover. The systems evaluated were open and screened paddocks in comparison with the conventional paddock. In the open and screened paddocks, four different crops (Pueraria phaseoloides, Centrosema mole, Calapogonium mucunoides and Manihot esculenta) were cultivated to simulate the natural environment of the snails. The snails were allowed to live on the crops as applicable in the wild for the first 6 weeks after which concentrate was introduced for another six weeks while conventional feeding materials like pawpaw leaves, fruits and water leaf were utilized in the conventional paddock. A total number of three hundred and twenty (320) apparently healthy Archachatina marginata with liveweight between 50 to 60 g were used in the study which was laid out in a 2 X 4 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. Data collected on growth, reproduction, environmental temperature and relative humidity were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using GenStat version 12.0 statistical software. Significant level was taken at P < 0.05. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the weight of the snails among the four cover treatments when compared on the basis of the production systems. The snails in the Mucuna, Centro, Puero and Cassava screened paddock recorded 10.75, 5.90, 5.63 and 4.43 g weight gain respectively while the snails reared under the open paddock in Mucuna, Puero, Centro and Cassava had weight gain of 4.28, 3.7, 2.9 and -2.8 g respectively. The snails in the conventional paddock had an average weight gain of 6.5 g. The snails reared under Cassava in the screened paddock laid the highest average number of eggs (10). Snails from the Mucuna pen in the screened paddock had bigger average size of eggs (20 mm) while the Snails from the Centro pens in the screened paddock had the highest average egg weight (1.30 g). The incubation period ranged between 26.5 to 32 days. Eggs laid by snail in the Centrosema pen in the screened paddock recorded 100 % hatching. The average temperature recorded at 0, 6 and 12 weeks for Open paddock were 39.43, 37.98 and 45.05 oC; for screened paddock were 36.19, 36,67 and 42.76 oC and conventional paddock were; 39.75, 39.10 and 45.05 oC respectively. The relative humidity recorded in the open paddock at 0, 6 and 12 weeks were 77.31, 63 and 65.11 %; screened paddock were 77.31, 66.63 and 71.56 % and Conventional paddock were 78.75, 68.75 and 67.50 % respectively. It was concluded that rearing snails under a screened paddock did not only help to regulate the temperature and relative humidity of the snails immediate environment but also protected the snails from intruders, predators and escape which are the major factors responsible for successful snail farming

The soil is a major habitat for snails and a medium for crops to grow, but it is
sometimes limited in the required nutrient needed by crops for optimum growth. This study investigated the most effective soil fertility management practices that are harmless to the snails and that are needed by snail-friendly crops: plantain, banana, pawpaw, sweet potato, waterleaf and cocoyam to grow to their maximum potentials in a screen house system. These different practices were: cover cropping, weeding and mulching. The implementation of these practices at the right time and in the right proportion, enhances the performance of the crops which are important to the snails as source of nutrition, environment enrichment, shell formation and reproduction. The data collected were plant height, number of leaves, greenness of leaves, clutch size, incubation and hatching. The results demonstrated that good soil fertility management
enhances the performance of both the crops and the snails.

The increasing demand for sustainable food production and environmental conservation has necessitated the development of eco-friendly agricultural structures. This study focuses on the design and construction of an eco-friendly minimizing ecological impact. The project integrates locally available and biodegradable materials such as bamboo, palm fronds, and recycled mesh to
create a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable housing system. The screen house was designed to provide an ideal microclimate—maintaining adequate humidity, temperature, and ventilation—to enhance the growth, breeding, and survival rates of Achatina species. Solar-powered lighting and a rainwater harvesting system were incorporated to reduce energy consumption and promote resource efficiency. Performance evaluation of the structure showed improved snail growth rate, reduced mortality, and minimal pest invasion compared to conventional open systems. The results demonstrate that eco-friendly screen houses offer a production. practical, low-cost, and sustainable solution for small- and medium-scale snail farmers, aligning with global efforts toward green agricultural innovations and climate-smart animal

Snail farming has emerged as a sustainable form of micro-livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa, providing animal protein and income diversification opportunities for smallholder farmers. However, productivity remains low in many farming systems due to inadequate rearing environments that fail to replicate the humid, shaded, and cool natural habitats of snails. This study, titled Modification of the Microenvironment Around a Screen House Used for Snail Production, investigates how targeted environmental modifications can improve snail growth and survival. The study was designed to evaluate key microclimatic variables including temperature, humidity, and soil moisture around screen houses modified using shading materials, mulching, water sprinkling, and windbreaks. The African giant land snail (Achatina marginata) served as the experimental species due to its economic significance. Data on snail growth performance, mortality rate, and activity patterns were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Preliminary findings indicate that microenvironmental modifications create more stable and favorable conditions, leading to reduced mortality and improved weight gain among snails.

In the experiment conducted on the feeding behaviour, performance and control strategies of Achatina marginata, 50 snails were used. The data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 24.0 and the significant level was set at p<0.05 for all analysis. The experiment lasted between March till August and all the snails received the same level of attention, feed and preventive measures put in place. Readings were taken on a weekly basis. The snails were fed twice weekly and carefully monitored to make sure they were eating adequately. Snails showed a preference in feed type, opting more for watermelon and cucumber than unripe pawpaw. The snails also fed on the leaves of the cover crops planted within the experimental plot. Best growth was obtained when the snails fed on watermelon and cucumber. The performance of the snails was also seen to go hand in hand with their feeding patterns and preferences, with about 0.005kg and more, added to their body weight weekly. Measures were put in place to stop and reduce the risk and the snails tendency to escape and also to prevent predators from getting into the experimental plot.