Mysuru: Snails, often seen as crop pests or creatures associated with damp surroundings, are being explored as a potential source of additional income for farmers, self-help groups and rural entrepreneurs in Mysuru.
A snail-farming facility established near the School of Life Sciences on the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER) campus is introducing farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs to scientific snail rearing and its possible commercial applications.
Low investment and limited space
The facility was established in 2022, with Dr Asha Srinivasan and S Vikram Singh conducting research on snails for the past four years. On August 11, they shared information about scientific snail farming with farmers and entrepreneurs interested in taking up the activity.
According to the researchers, snail farming does not require large areas of land or heavy initial investment. Snails can be reared in open, semi-controlled or fully controlled systems, provided they receive suitable shade, adequate moisture, clean water and nutritious green feed.
The initiative has received support from BIRAC, the Biotechnology Ignition Grant, Karnataka’s Startup Elevate programme and Auric Cosmo India Private Limited.
Research explores skincare applications
The Mysuru centre is also studying potential commercial applications of snails and snail-derived materials, including possible uses related to skincare.
Dr Asha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor at the JSS AHER School of Life Sciences, said research so far has focused on skin ailments, with further applications planned for study.
She added that the centre was willing to guide farmers interested in snail farming and said it was prepared to purchase quality snails brought by farmers.
Focus on land-dwelling snails
S Vikram Singh, founder of Auric Cosmo India Private Limited, said the current research focuses on land-dwelling snails.
He stressed that although establishing a snail farm does not require heavy investment, farmers need to learn proper maintenance methods and provide fresh green feed.
The researchers said the objective is not merely to promote snails as an alternative farm product but also to develop scientific knowledge around their rearing and potential uses.