This study examined constraints militating against the profitability potentials
of snail (Archachatina marginata) production by small-scale snail farmers in Cross River
State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from a random sample of 120 respondents in the study
area by means of structured and semi-structured questionnaire. The first stage involved
random selection of three (Ogoja, Ikom and Odukpani) local government areas from
eighteen local government areas in Cross River State, Nigeria. This was followed by
random selection of three villages (Igoli in Ogoja Local Government Area, Alesi in Ikom
Local Government Area and Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area) in Cross
River State. The respondents were randomly selected from each of the villages, 40
respondents were selected each from three villages, making a total number of 120
respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and costs-returns
analysis. The results indicated that Cobb-Douglas production function had the best fit in
explaining the relationship between output of snail and inputs used, the coefficient of
multiple determinant (R2=0.60 indicates that sixty percent of the variability in output of
snail is explained by the independent variables). Results from the analysis revealed that the
marginal value products of farm size, labour, farm management practices and operating
costs were N1080, N20.6, N972.8, N 14.84 respectively, there existed allocative inefficiency,
there is a high potential for snail farmers to increase their yields and income.
Further analysis of results revealed that net returns on snail is N2,935,000.00 with return
on every naira invested of N 0.14 is also positive indicating a profit from the business, with
attractive net return on investment. This study shows that snail farmers are faced with
several problems in their production activities. These problems or constraints affect the
Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development 2010, 104 (3 - 4): 101 - 124
efficiency of snail production in the study area. Notable among them are high cost of feed
supplement , lack of capital, inaccessibility of formal credit source because lack of
collaterals, lack of extension agents, lack of medication/vaccines, poor production
infrastructures and lack of good farm management practices occupied 15%,
14.17%,11.67%,10%,9.17%,9.17% and 8.33% respectively. The constraints associated
with the business as highlighted in this paper if tackled could pave a way to increase profit
and this will alleviate poverty in Cross River State. Hence, for efficient production of snail
in the study area, these constraints must be drastically reduced to the barest minimum. This
can be done through efficient policy formulation and implementation, proper supervision
of snail production programme, effective extension services and proper agricultural
financing. Snail farmers in the study area should be train by extension agents on how to
control some of constraints that militate against the profitability potential of snail
production. Beside that snail farmers should form cooperative group (s) in order to obtain
loans from bank (s) to increase their capital base for higher output.