Snails displayed at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) stand during the Nairobi International Trade Fair as the university showcases their potential for use in food, cosmetics and livestock feed.
By Peace Muthoka
Nairobi, Thursday, October 1, 2026 — Farmers are being encouraged to explore snail farming as an alternative source of income, with researchers from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) demonstrating how the often-overlooked creatures can be turned into valuable products for the food, cosmetics and livestock industries.
During the Nairobi International Trade Fair , Ann Muthui from JKUAT’s Department of Horticulture and Food Security urged farmers to reconsider the perception of snails as agricultural pests and instead recognise their potential for commercial use.
Muthui explained that a single snail offers three distinct products: its shell, edible flesh and slime. Each has practical applications that could create different opportunities for farmers to add value to their produce.
The slime, which is harvested from snails, is used in the cosmetics industry to manufacture products such as soaps, creams, facial serums, body lotions and shower gels. Its use in personal care products presents an opportunity for farmers to supply raw materials to the industry.
Snail flesh, meanwhile, offers an alternative source of protein for consumers. Muthui described it as white meat rich in protein, zinc and iron, making it another food option for people who do not consume red meat.
“For those who are not doing the red meat, we have another option of doing snails, which is a very good white meat, rich in protein, and also zinc and iron,” she said.
The shell, which is often discarded, also has commercial value. According to Muthui, it is rich in calcium and can be processed and fortified for use in animal feed, particularly for laying hens and young chicks.
The multiple uses of snails demonstrate how farmers can maximise the value of a single resource instead of relying on just one product. Their potential applications range from food and cosmetics to livestock feed, offering different avenues for value addition.
Through its sensitisation efforts, JKUAT aims to familiarise farmers with these possibilities and encourage them to consider snail farming as an alternative agricultural enterprise.
The initiative also underscores the role of value addition in agriculture, highlighting how resources that are often overlooked can be transformed into products with commercial potential, opening up new opportunities for farmers.
