By Anel Powell
South Africa's first snail farm is due to be opened in Saldanha Bay next year. The pilot Heliciculture farm is expected to create at least 200 direct jobs and generate an annual turnover of R28,5-million.
Bertie Hechter, senior project manager for the Western Cape's department of social development, said the farm would add considerable value to the provincial economy. The development forms part of the department's poverty-eradication programme.
"I applaud the courage of the MEC (for Social Development, Kholeka Mqulwana) to take this bold step."
Mqulwana's spokesperson, Simphiwe Xako, said the snail farm was one of several projects planned by the department to build social capital in the province.
The department this week called for expressions of interest from specialists to carry out a feasibility study for an auditing system for the farm. Hechter said the department has been working on plans for a snail farm since 1998.
A joint partnership agreement has been signed with world's third largest snail farm. It is in France.
Hechter said the Saldanha Bay farm would be the first where snails would be bred in tunnels or batteries throughout the year. It will have 35 million snails at a time when in full production.
Hechter said the farm would breed the indigenous common brown snail, helix aspersa.
Most of the snails would be exported.He said there was a shortage of 40-48 000 tons of snails for the international market.
France alone consumed 20 000 tons of snails in December and January. This strong demand meant South Africa could export its snails at four or five times more than the local price.
Hechter said, while it would cost R27-million to set up the farm, the profitability of the venture had been verified. The province had already spent R3-million to research the viability of the farm.
He said the province had signed an agreement with the Saldanha municipality to release the land needed for the farm at a preferential rate.
Hechter said besides the culinary uses for the "little critters we step on", there were also medical benefits. Snails are cholesterol-free, contain nine minerals and produce anti-bacterial mucous.