Report No 4..........15 September 2008
Building the Eco-Learning center Heliculture Station

Snails have featured on the menu in European countries for centuries. France in particular is famous for it’s love of ‘Escargots’ but they were first cultivated in Tuscany around 50BC.  Traditionally they have also featured in Balinese cuisine where they provide an important source of protein.
Role Foundation is currently in the process of building its Heliculture Station at the Eco-Learning Center where training will be provided in Heliculture techniques. Snail culture has low set-up costs and will be promoted as a viable, environmentally sound commercial operation to create local job opportunities.

Why snail farming?

• Low cost set-up and limited expertise required.
• Minimal area of land necessary for culture.
• High market opportunity driven by overseas demand.
• Rapid results due to short reproductive cycle.
• Environmentally sound and low impact.

Role has elected to use the garden cage model for snail culture with separate plots for parents and juveniles housed in an open plan Bale to provide shade. The snails will be fed on organic plants and vegetables grown on the Eco-Learning Center site. 
Worldwide the demand for snail products is growing and Role Foundation views Heliculture as a viable small business solution for local people to secure additional income.

R.O.L.E. believes that abject poverty and environmental degradation are inextricably linked. R.O.L.E. also believes the most effective way to ensure a healthy environment and eradicate poverty is to educate, re-skill, and create alternative environmental friendly opportunities for individuals and local communities, enabling them to make a reasonable income, therefore taking the pressure off natural resources.

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