*As local firm kicks-off maiden investment forum

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

An expert in snail breeding and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Wolegate Global Resources Ltd, WGRL, Prince Adewole Adeyanju has said the Federal Government stands the chance of making millions of foreign exchange as revenue if it explores the opportunity available from massive snail farming and exporting.

Audu Ogbeh

According to Adeyanju, unfortunately, snail breeding is still at its lowest ebb in Nigeria because of the long period of rearing, noting that the local snail takes an average of three years to be ready for harvesting.

“This has discouraged a lot of farmers, many of whom have abandoned it, while a lot of prospective investors see it as a non-profitable venture.”

According to Adeyanju, “In line with the Federal Government’s emphasis on using agriculture as the vehicle to drive the country out of its current economic downturn, WGRL has discovered a unique method that will wake up snail farming and make it lucrative and sustainable as a business venture in the country.

“The company, a franchisee of Touchstone Snail Technologies Limited Cyprus, is introducing a new technique with which Nigerians can rear and earn great profit within a nine-month growth circle against the usual three years of harvesting, using a special specie of snail, Helix Aspersa Muller, and a more creative farming method, called “Curtain Method.

“With its introduction into Nigeria, we are set to revolutionise snail breeding, make it a highly sustainable agro allied business for export and a job creation mechanism.”

WGRL boss however, disclosed that the Minister for Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, is expected to lead other industry players, including managing Directors of Bank of Agriculture, Heritage Bank, NEXIM and the representatives of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, at the maiden investment forum in Lagos on Thursday, July 21, to train breeders on how best to rear special specie of snails for consumption as well as export purposes.

Adeyanju, organizer of the investment forum, added that the company, in partnership with the federal government is set to revolutionize snail breeding business in Nigeria and Africa in general for maximum profit to investors.

The investment forum, where over 100 participants are expected to have a practical and interactive session on the product on how to do snail breeding differently, is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

Other top government functionaries, academia and agricultural industry players are expected at the one day event.

According to Adeyanju, the company has concluded arrangements to train over 100 prospective breeders on how best to rear the special specie of snails for greater yields and how to sell their products easily for profit maximization.

He explained that the company would purchase all the Helix Aspersa Muller Snails reared and produced by farmers/investors using the Touchstone’s technique at a very competitive price and will like share this knowledge and experience with all Nigerians.

He added that to do this successfully, “We are organizing an Investment Forum where participants will have a practical and interactive session on this innovative method of snail breeding and how to earn great return on your business or investment.”

Adeyanju noted that snails are ideal food for mankind because of their nutritional value and high health enhancing properties.

They are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals and are ideals in fighting cancer and preventing heart disorders.

A snail is naturally parked with vitamins E, A, K, and B12 and very low in calories and fat. These great benefits of this gentle and harmless creature make it important to me.

He stressed that due to long period for harvesting lival snail, “this has discouraged a lot of farmers, many of who have abandoned it while a lot of prospective investors see it as a non-profitable venture.

“Fortunately, a Nigerian company, WGRL, has found a window for the improvement of snail breeding in the country so that Nigerians can take full benefits of it.”