Empowering Rural South Africans Through Sustainable Snail Farming

Unemployed and underemployed individuals across South Africa, especially women and youth, have gained practical snail farming skills, secured sustainable employment, or started their own micro-enterprises, resulting in increased household income and food security within 18 months. The project has reduced dependency on social assistance and fostered local economic growth. In the long term, it supports the development of a sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector by promoting eco-friendly protein production and rural entrepreneurship. This model contributes to national efforts to combat unemployment and positions South Africa as a global supplier of natural proteins and bio-cosmetic ingredients.

South Africa faces high unemployment, especially among women and youth in rural areas. Many skilled individuals, such as former miners or agricultural workers, are unable to re-enter the job market due to structural and policy barriers. At the same time, food insecurity and poverty continue to rise. Traditional farming methods often require large amounts of land and water, which are not accessible to most unemployed individuals. Snail farming offers a sustainable, low-cost, and high-impact solution that requires minimal space, water, and resources. Despite growing global demand for snail meat and snail-based cosmetic and medicinal products, the industry in South Africa remains underdeveloped. This project addresses the dual challenge of unemployment and food insecurity by training and empowering individuals to participate in an eco-friendly and income-generating agricultural value chain, creating jobs, businesses, and long-term social impact.

To address rising unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity in South Africa, particularly in rural and underserved communities, there is an urgent need to create accessible, sustainable income-generating opportunities. Many people, especially women and youth, possess basic skills but lack resources, land, or formal education to enter traditional agriculture or the formal job market. Snail farming presents a practical, eco-friendly solution that requires minimal land, water, and investment, while offering access to high-value local and international markets. However, without training, infrastructure, and startup support, these communities cannot access the potential of this industry. This project meets the urgent need for action by providing targeted training, tools, mentorship, and access to markets, enabling participants to build small enterprises, generate income, and contribute to local economic development in a sustainable way.

The project will establish snail farming units and provide structured training programs in theory and practice, including snail care, harvesting, slime extraction, and product processing. Participants will receive hands-on support, starter kits (snails, feed, housing materials), and mentorship to ensure successful farm setup. Training will also include business skills, marketing, and hygiene standards. We will partner with cosmetic and food distributors to secure market access. Investment will be made in basic infrastructure, including greenhouses and storage, and in the development of a training curriculum. Digital platforms and social media will be used for education and product promotion. Resources required include funding for training materials, farming inputs, facilities, expert trainers, and logistics to reach rural areas. These combined actions will equip participants to generate income and sustain small-scale snail farms across South Africa.

Our key cooperation partner is Snail at 52, a leading expert in snail farming that will provide technical guidance, training, and operational support. We are also establishing partnerships with agricultural training institutions for course development and delivery, and with local NGOs and community groups for participant recruitment and mentorship. Engagements with cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are underway to create market channels for snail slime and powder, as well as with food distributors and hospitality networks for snail meat and eggs. We are in discussions with rural development initiatives and government agricultural departments to access technical support and align with national development goals. These collaborations are essential to provide training, infrastructure, and market access. If no further partnerships are formalized before launch, the project will begin with internal resources and Snail at 52’s support while expanding cooperation efforts.

The project will create measurable impact by providing unemployed individuals, especially women and youth, with practical skills, tools, and resources to start and sustain their own snail farming micro-enterprises. Participants will gain income-generating opportunities within 6 to 12 months, reducing reliance on social assistance and improving household food security. The project will also stimulate local economies by connecting new farmers to national and international markets for snail-based products. Through its training model and replicable infrastructure, the initiative promotes environmentally friendly farming and supports long-term rural development. By the end of the first cycle, we expect a minimum of 100 trained farmers, with at least 70% actively operating their farms. The project’s low entry barrier and strong market potential ensure scalability and sustainability, contributing to inclusive economic growth and the development of a green agricultural sector in South Africa.

This project stands out for its ability to become fully self-sustaining within 3 years, generating income through the sale of snail meat, slime, and other by-products. Profits will be reinvested to support the creation of new micro snail farms, multiplying the impact across South Africa. Its low input costs, high market demand, and eco-friendly nature make it uniquely scalable. Our organization is well-suited to deliver this project due to our strong experience in grassroots development, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise support. We work directly with underserved communities and have a proven track record in building practical, replicable models for income generation. Our partnership with Snail at 52 provides expert knowledge and training capacity, ensuring high-quality implementation. With this combination of innovation, sustainability, and practical expertise, we are ideally positioned to deliver long-term impact and growth.