Carmingo Farming Business Plans

How to Start a Snail / Heliciculture Farming Operation?

Snail / Heliciculture farming can be a very lucrative business venture. Most large snails are edible and can be sold at a high price. Because they are considered agricultural pests, organic farm owners want to get rid of them and let you harvest them. There’s also a growing demand for “snail slime” in the cosmetic industry.

Factors to consider when Starting:

Soil requirements – Snails thrive in well – cultivated rich quality soil. Calcium in the soil is also important for the snails’ shell.

Farm System – Protect and contain snails in pens that are either inside a building or greenhouse or with plastic tunnel houses.

Climate Control – The ideal temperature for growing snails is between 16degrees and 24 degrees and they also need humidity, so include sprinklers.

Snail Feeding

Make food and water available in the morning and night every day. Feed your snails with plantain, pumpkin, potato, lettuce, pawpaw, cabbage, cucumber etc. Snails commonly feed on meal leftovers and green leaves without salt. Calcium is also vital for the growth of their shells.

Snail Housing

Snails need comfort to thrive. The size of the snails’ house will determine how comfortable the snails will be. Also, the style and size of the snail house are dependent on the size of your snail farm. Besides nets, people rear snails in boxes made of wood and wire gauge.

Snail Harvesting

Snails take an average of two years to reach full maturity. To know whether or not the snail is mature, inspect the brim of the shell. Snails with a hard and thick shell are mature. Make sure to harvest snails only when they are matured. You can harvest snails with the help of baskets, boxes, bowls, and containers.

Importance of a Snail Farming Business Plan

Putting together a business plan for a snail farming operation can be daunting. This is especially so if you’re creating a business for the first time. To create an effective business plan for your farming operation , you’ll need to assess your current position (if you’re already in business) and define where you want the business to be in the next three to five years. If you need any help with this, contact us now

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WHY START A CARMINGO APRICOT FARMING OPERATION NOW?

Apricots in supermarkets have always been seen as a niche product and the new Carmingo range, offer a season extension. The product is a winner for consumers because of its good size, high natural sweetness and good shelf life.

Production Areas

Apricots thrive in areas with cold, dry winters and dry, hot summers. While they are produced throughout South Africa, the bulk of production takes place in the Western Cape under winter rainfall conditions.

Apricot Season

Depending on climatic conditions, the production area and cultivar, the apricot season in South Africa takes place from November to March, with small volumes trickling in around April.

Apricot Uses

Apricots are high in fibre, vitamins, especially vitamins A and C, and minerals. The fruit and skin are edible, but the stone is discarded. Apricots can be enjoyed fresh or canned, pureed, dried, preserved or juiced. They are also used to make chutneys and are included in cooking.

Production

Trees require a minimum of 4000 m3 water/ha per year. Production costs and labor are relatively similar to that of the older apricot cultivars but the establishment costs are significantly higher. This is working out at about R80/tree, as the plant material is subject to royalties.

Trees are usually planted at a density of 1000/ha spaced at 2,5m in the row and 4m between the rows, as these trees have a more upright growth. The fruit may be exported only by licensed exporters, which in South Africa are Icon Fruit, Delecta, Cape 5 and Stems.

To enable you to start successfully or to expand your farming operation you will need a Professional and well – structured Agric/Farming type of Business Plan.