Ibadan female snail farmer shares insights into business

Lawon Ajoke’s journey into the world of snail farming is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. As the CEO of Joks Snail Farm in Ibadan, Nigeria, Ajoke’s story is one of turning a childhood fascination into a thriving business.

In 2016, after completing her studies, Ajoke attended a training session where various business opportunities were discussed. It was during this session that the idea of snail farming resurfaced, igniting Ajoke’s memories of her youthful intrigue with snails. She wasted no time in pursuing this newfound passion. With guidance from the training facilitator, Ajoke acquired her first 30 snails from a local farmer and embarked on her entrepreneurial journey from her student apartment.

The early days were challenging, marked by a lack of knowledge about snail farming and initial setbacks as her first batch of snails didn’t survive. However, Ajoke persevered through this trial-and-error phase, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Starting with just thirty thousand naira (approximately one hundred and fifty dollars), Ajoke invested in building a hutch, purchasing snail feed, and acquiring her initial stock of snails. Despite facing skepticism from her community about her new venture, Ajoke’s determination and strategic use of social media as a marketing tool helped her reach a wider audience, leading to customers both locally and internationally.

Ajoke achieved remarkable success, earning over 500,000 thousand naira on LinkedIn in less than 10 days selling snails. Inspired by this, Ajoke has launched the production of 1,000 salted medium-sized snails, soon to be available in reseller stores across Oklahoma, USA. Explore our flavorful snail products and experience culinary excellence.

Here are a few key insights Ajoke shares about snails:

1. Hermaphrodite Nature: Snails are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive systems.

2. Reproductive Cycle: The reproductive cycle of a snail spans 18 months, a crucial factor in snail farming practices.

3. Vaccines and Treatment: Snails can be treated with vaccines and herbal remedies to maintain their health, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in snail farming.

4. Calcium-Rich Shells: When a snail dies, its shell, composed of 99% calcium, is crushed and sold as calcium supplements for snails and other farm animals.

5. Over the years, Ajoke has not only grown her business but also become a mentor, training over 2000 individuals in the intricacies of snail farming. Today, Joks Snail Farm stands as a testament to Ajoke’s passion, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit, supplying snails across Nigeria and exporting to various parts of the world.