Agritech Role in Enhancing Sustainable Snail Farming

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Snail farming also known as heliculture is the practice of breeding and raising snails for food and industrial applications especially for cosmetic use. Agritech is poised to find expression and utilisation in snail production with more prominence envisaged in the coming years. Snail farming is a rapidly growing industry due to its growing consumer awareness, and sustainability benefits. Its positive impact on the social, economic and environmental outlook proves to be a growing possibility globally. This further corroborates Ken Research in the global Snail Market Outlook to 2028. Some of the positive impacts of snail rearing include:

1. Improved soil fertility.
2. A sustainable food source with a lower carbon footprint compared to other protein livestock sources.
3. Biodiversity: Snail rearing has the potential to create diverse ecosystems with a variety of plants and animals.
4. Snail meat is a good source of protein, low in fat and rich in essential minerals. Its low cholesterol content is also beneficial for cardiovascular health.
5. The shells have become a source for calcium. They are used as calcium supplements and have potential for medicinal applications. They are also used in ceramic industry,
6. The slime is principally used in the cosmetic industry for skin repairs, anti-ageing purposes and skin’s moisturisation.

Some of the practices of snail farming include environment preparation, selection of appropriate species, provision of suitable diets for the snail, and the management of the snails’ health and growth. These operations ensure the successful rearing and production of edible land snails. Agritech plays a vital role in enhancing the sustainability practices of snail farming to maximise the benefits derived from the production activities. Essentially, some of the considerations that define the utilisation of technology are experienced in the challenges of snail farming.

Challenges of Sustainable Snail Farming

Despite its potentials, snail farming is experiencing challenges that have limited its growth and development. These challenges clearly undermine its sustainability. Some of them include inadequate research and extension services that have led to lack of technical expertise, poor soil conditions, vulnerability to diseases and predators or pests, water management, marketing and distribution. 

Agritech plays a vital role in providing solutions to these challenges, optimising snail farming and making it more productive, efficient and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, agritech is playing crucial roles in reducing wastes and labour costs.

Technologies like climate control systems, data logging mechanisms, precision feeding, and watering can optimise growth+ rates, increase efficiency and result in a more sustainable, profitable snail farming operation.

Roles of Agritech in Snail Farming

1. Greenhouses for Snail Farming

Greenhouse is an integration of technology that offers a controlled environment that’s ideal for snail farming. The greenhouse technology provides protection from the elements and allows for optimal conditions for the growth and reproduction of snails. They are particularly beneficial in regions with unpredictable climate patterns, predator control, and for commercial production. The greenhouse offers a more suitable shelter that provides consistent climate, proper moisture levels, and a suitable food supply, leading to healthier and more productive snail populations.

2. Data Logging and Environment Monitoring Control Systems

Sensors and data loggers are increasingly being integrated into big, commercial snail farms usually designed to fit in natural greenhouses. This is important to track conditions like temperature, humidity and feed intake. Snail farming often requires specific conditions. Integrating these sensors can help provide automated climate control systems to provide optimal conditions for the snails especially in locations with harsh conditions or changes in the season. Furthermore, these sensors can help track snail growth, reproductive rates, prevent pests or predators’ infestation and enhance optimisation of snail farming practices. For example, snails are ectothermic, the ideal temperature range for snail farming is 20-28°C, their activities are influenced by temperature. A moderate temperature range allows them to thrive without being stressed by extreme temperatures. In addition, the optimal humidity is 80-95%. Snails prefer a damp and moist environment Any significant fluctuations in the humidity below 75% will cause the snails to hibernate which directly affects their health and growth. 

3. Precision Feeding

Integrating automated feeding mechanisms and systems help to both analyse data on feed intake and also avoid feed wastes that may result in other complications in the snail farm. This can be achieved through precision technology. Unregulated feed wastes can increase disease and parasitic infestations by creating a breeding environment for bacteria, fungi and parasites, environmental issues like soil pollution and emission of greenhouse gases like methane, and reduced growth and reproduction rates. Agricultural robots though not yet widely used, projects possibilities for utilisation in snail farming and particularly for precision feeding.

4. Disease and Predator Management

Artificial intelligence as applied in other farming operations will be prominently integrated into snail farming in the nearest future. Early detection of diseases and parasites can be achieved through monitoring and data analysis. This enables faster interventions and reduces losses.

In addition, ants are a natural predator of snails, and their presence can lead to a decline in the snail population, making the farming operation unsustainable. Artificial intelligence can detect  and monitor ants within the perimeter of the snail farm and raise the needed alarm in that regard or perhaps help to trigger a solution to stop the ant’s infestation.

5. Automated/Smart Watering Systems:

Smart Irrigation can provide efficient watering systems that can sustain the right amount of water for their health and growth. Snails require a humid environment while excessive dampness can lead to fungal or bacterial infections, insufficient water can lead to severe negative consequences including stress, dehydration, stunted growth, reduced fertility and in some cases death.

Final Thoughts

With the increase in the utilisation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the growth and development of snails can be monitored and their behaviours predicted. Indeed, agritech has a lot of potential in producing better results and optimising snail farming practices.