Snails of Tomorrow: Tapping the Nutritional Power of the Giant African Land Snail

 From Pest to Protein: How the Giant African Land Snail Could Help Feed the Future

A creature long considered a garden pest may hold the key to tackling hunger and food insecurity—the Giant African Land Snail (Achatina fulica), known in Nepal as Sankha Kira.

A new study by Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) and the former Gandaki Province Academy of Science and Technology (GPAST), in collaboration with Nord University in Norway, is the first to profile the nutritional value of this snail in Nepal. The findings show its soft body is packed with over 50% protein (dry matter), more than beef, pork, or even popular alternative sources like mealworms and black soldier fly larvae.

Its amino acid content is equally impressive, surpassing soybean meal—a global livestock feed standard—in key nutrients that support immunity, muscle growth, and digestion in both humans and animals.

A rich source of minerals
Beyond protein, the snail is loaded with essential minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Its shell, made up of about 37% calcium, could be ground into a natural supplement for poultry feed, cutting reliance on costly synthetic sources.

Turning a problem into a solution
Though A. fulica is an invasive pest that can damage crops, its rapid reproduction and high biomass make it ideal for sustainable farming. It could provide:

  • Affordable livestock feed to replace imports like soybean or fish meal

  • A new protein source for undernourished communities

  • Small business opportunities through snail farming

Handling with care
The researchers stress that safety is key. Wild snails can carry parasites and absorb heavy metals from polluted areas. Recommended precautions include:

  • Farming or sourcing from clean areas

  • Purging the snails for several days before cooking

  • Boiling for 5–10 minutes to kill parasites

  • Using only the muscular foot for food

What’s next?
The study calls for further research, livestock feeding trials, and economic modeling for rural snail farming. Policies, infrastructure, and training will be essential to turn this idea into a viable industry.

A sustainable protein for the future
The Giant African Land Snail is low-maintenance, space-efficient, and can be fed on vegetable scraps. In return, it offers meat, minerals, and bioactive compounds—making it a promising part of a resilient, eco-friendly food system.

As the researchers put it, it’s time to rethink overlooked species. This humble snail may be slow, but it could be a fast track to a smarter, more sustainable way of feeding people and animals.

If you’d like, I can also condense this into a short, news-style version under 300 words for quick reading. That would make it perfect for a general audience.

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