By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Oct. 20, GNA – An Australian investor has established what is being described as the largest climate-smart snail farm in Ghana after developing an interest in snail production following a visit to the country.
This was after he tasted snails served with fufu, a local delicacy, during his visit to Ghana.
The one-acre climate-smart snail greenhouse, located at Apam in the Central Region, has the capacity to rear about 20,000 snails, mainly of the Achatina species, with plans to expand the facility to 10 acres in the future.
The project comes at a time when interest in heliculture, the commercial rearing of snails, is increasing across the country.
Mr Francis Aforve, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Climate Smart Solutions Limited, developers of the project, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi.
He said the facility could be monitored and managed remotely and was fitted with solar-powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, Wi-Fi connectivity, an administrative office and staff accommodation.
Mr Aforve said a snail slime extraction laboratory had also been established and was expected to become operational soon to enable the farm tap into the growing demand for snail mucin in the cosmetics industry.
He said the farm would supply local markets, chop bars and hotels, while also targeting export markets.
According to him, the investment was intended to help bridge the gap between demand and supply in the snail market.
Mr Aforve noted that demand for snails in Ghana remained high, while domestic production was relatively low, resulting in significant imports from neighbouring CĂ´te d’Ivoire.
He called for increased investment in snail farming to position Ghana as a leading producer and supplier of snails in the sub-region and beyond.
Mr Aforve said snail farming required relatively lower capital investment compared to many other forms of livestock production, making it an attractive agribusiness venture.
He noted that the global edible snail market was valued at more than US$600 million and was projected to approach US$1 billion by 2033, driven by growing demand in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-MensahÂ
[email protected]Â