Determinants of giant snail (<i>Achatina achatina</i>) production in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State, Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of giant snail (Achatina achatina) production in North Central, Nigeria, with a focus on its challenges and prospects. Sixty-four (64) respondents across 8 local government areas in 6 communities were purposively sampled for the study and this was due to the few numbers of snail farmers in the area. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the respondents’ demographic characteristics, level of production, cost-benefit analysis and constraints limiting production of snail. Logistics regression was used to analyse the hypotheses of the study. Results revealed that the average age, household size, stock size, farming experience and income were 43.59 years, 6 persons, 787 snails, 6.69 years of experience and N350,000.50 respectively. Majority (76.56%) of the farmers used constructed pens to house the snails they were producing and a low level of production of snail was recorded. An average of N80 was the profit level from every marketable size snail and this indicates that the business of snail production is profitable. Snail farming is constraint by many factors amongst which are: slow rate of growth, theft, pests and disease attack, lack of management skill, high rate of mortality and lack of funds. Demographic characteristics like age, education, household size and farm income were significant (p<0.05), while stock size and farming experience were significant variables to level of snail production. The study concludes that a profit of N80 is made from each marketable size of snail and that the business of snail production is a profitable one. It was recommended that farmers should use improved breeds of snail that have rapid growth and are early maturing for production.