Snail Farming
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Local solution
Heritage Charity Foundation (HCF) is an expert on training women in small-scale farming businesses. In this project they train 100 rural women in snail farming for income generation. Project participants are vulnerable women living in extreme poverty, among them single mothers, widows, and reformed sex workers. Because of unequal opportunities due to gender inequality, they are forced in menial or degrading jobs to raise money.
That is why HCF carefully selects 100 women from 20 villages from Sunyani municipality in Ghana . In 4 groups of 25 each, these women will participate in a 1-month theoretical training that occurs thrice per week as suggested by the women. Followed by 11 months practical and marketing training in snail farming.
The project will create 5 structures for snail farming, divided among the communities the women come from. Through the cooperative formed by HCF, they will sell snail meat for consumption, snail shells for chicken feed, and snail slime for lotions that can be used for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Snail farming is advantageous in many ways. The highly sought-after snail meat has become a very popular delicacy. And it’s highly nutritious, as snail meat is very rich in vitamins C and E and in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Presently the consumption level of snails by Ghanaians is over 15,000 tonnes. Surprisingly, barely a quarter is produced in the country, as approximately 13,000 tonnes come from Côte d’Ivoire. Although, snail farming in Ghana requires small capital, low running cost and very little time daily. And it has great added-value, because every part of the snail is vital in the food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, poultry and fishing industries.
The project is likely to succeed because HCF’s director, Richmond Smith, has been trained in snail farming. In addition, HCF has completed a successful prototype with 5 women on snail farming. Most importantly, the women are enthusiastic about participating as it will increase their income, which HCF believes is the best path towards lasting success for anyone is through economic opportunities.
Lives improvedIt is expected that all 100 women increase production by 70% and income by 85% from snail farming. That is why the project will create long-term and sustainable change, by permanently improving household income. In turn, it enables on average 500 family members to have an increased budget to spend on basic needs like food, housing, health care and school-related costs for the kids’ school.
Community impactFirst of all, the project reduces the carbon footprint from imports from Côte d’Ivoire. And the breeding of snails will prevent the natural snail population in Ghana from being over harvested.
Secondly, HCF plans to scale the project to other communities by constructing new structures beyond this project.
Ultimately, we will create a farm large enough to sustain itself and support women, enabling them to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs. These women will maintain their family responsibilities and become role models for their children and communities. And increasing accessibility of snails so that more Ghanaians will be able to maintain healthy diets.
BudgetThe budget for the following activities is GHs 120,484 (or €9.880). The donation will be used to:
- Facilitate 1 month theory and 11 months practical training of snail farming
- Purchase materials for the construction of the structures, equipment for the snail farming and food for the snails.
- Pay for labour costs and purchase the bleeds for the farm.
- 5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating direct donations to local solutions (covering our costs for the website, financial costs of direct donations, and basic costs to support NGOs in promotion and fundraising.)
Own contributions:
- Heritage Charity Foundation will contribute a pro bono mentorship to the women after the training which is valued at a cost of GHS 15,000 (or €1250).
Testimonials
Project Details
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ProjectSnail Farming
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LocationGhanaSunyani
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Sustainable Development Goals
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Zero Hunger
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Start dateJuly 1, 2023
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End dateJune 30, 2024
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€ 9,862 Raisedof € 9,862