ECONOMIC OF SNAIL REARING IN NDUKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

E-mail: stan2kc@yahoo.com Abstract: The study analysis economics of snail rearing in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It considered the socio-economic characteristics of snail rearing farmers; the profitability of the enterprise, the problems associated with snail farming in the study area. It also makes recommendations based on the findings.             A total of 50 respondents from five clans in the L.G.A. were selected. A well structured questionnaire was administered to the chosen farmers. The work was analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. The budgetary technique was used to determine the profitability of the enterprises, which was found to be profitably in the study area at a gross margin of N234,370, net farm income of N191.981.3, mean net farm income of N 3,839.6 and net return on investment of N 1.56. Constraints in snail production in decreasing magnitude were slow growth, predator attack, theft, feed availability, source of foundation stock, mortality, capital, marketing and inexperience. It was recommended that extension agents should teach farmers on improved technique in snail rearing, more research should be carried out, government should establish breeding centers, provide farmer’s with incentives and other inputs and encourage farmers to