Dr. Paul Kinoti, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), is conducting research to produce cough syrup from snail slime. The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has received a Ksh. 127 million (USD 1 million) grant from the Cherasco Institute of Snail Breeding in Italy to fund the research project. Kinoti specializes in non-conventional farming systems and has been researching insects and worms. He is interested in the value of supplementing crop and livestock production with snails, which are rich in protein and iron. During the research’s first phase, the team will identify the best snail species for production and research snail slime. The second phase is the manufacturing and production of cough syrup once approved by the Kenya Food and Drug Authority. The project’s success would surprise Kenya’s citizens, who do not usually include snails in their diet. However, those who farm snails are excited about the project, which will provide employment opportunities and reduce Kenya’s importations costs.
