Snake business

Maximus

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*IS SNAKE FARMING A REALLY PROFITABLE BUSINESS IN KENYA?*

Snake farming has been popularized in Kenya by presidential hopeful George Luchiri Wajackoyah.

He talked on how he will engage in Snake farming to Pay Chinese Debt if elected president.

This arose my curiosity and I had to do some research to find out if snake farming is really a profitable business in Kenya.

Snake farming business involves the rearing of various snake species for commercial purposes. It is a very highly profitable business for anyone who dares venture into it because of the risk associated with it.

It does not matter where you are in Kenya, India, United States, Britain, anywhere at all, there is a ready market for you.

The truth is that snakes are not among the most liked reptiles compared to lizards, turtles, crocodilians e.t.c. A lot of people are afraid of them. But for anyone who will overlook the apparent risk and get into the business of snake farming, you may be on your way to making millions every year from this highly profitable business.

*Why is snake farming business profitable?*

Snake farming business is very lucrative because there is a growing demand for snake venom in the global venom market. Conversely, there is low supply due to the number of people involved in snake farming business.

Snake venom is a highly toxic saliva containing zootoxins that facilitates in the immobilization and digestion of prey. This also provides defense against threats. Snake venom is injected by unique fangs during a bite, whereas some species are also able to spit venom.

Venom contains more than 20 different compounds, which are mostly proteins and polypeptides. The complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and various other substances has toxic and lethal properties.

Some of the proteins in snake venom have very specific effects on various biological functions, including blood coagulation, blood pressure regulation, and transmission of nerve or muscle impulses. These venoms have been studied and developed for use as pharmacological or diagnostic tools, and even drugs.

Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars each year to purchase snake venom. That expenditure is expected to grow into billions if ongoing research on the use of snake venom to cure cancer is positive.

With the huge investment by Pharmaceutical companies to grow the snake venom market, it is expected that more people especially in Africa where jobs are scarce will take up snake farming the apparent risks not withstand

*Is snake farming a good business venture?*

A small village in China known as Zisiqiao ‘snake village’ makes over $12 million (Ksh.1.2 billion) a year from the snake farming business alone.

A couple of decades ago, locals in Zisiqiao made a living from farming and fishing. But now they rear snakes – among them pythons, vipers and cobras.

There are three million snakes in total – leaving the locals outnumbered by the serpents by a ratio of almost 3,000 to one.

Step into any of the more than 100 snake farms in the village and you will see the snakes slithering about in small wooden boxes piled on top of each other.

One of the snake farmers from the village, Fang Yin works together with his wife and they make over $60,000 (Ksh.6 million) a year. He previously worked in a Pharmaceutical company.

He told a newspaper in China: “At first I was afraid and thought they were gross but now I’m used to all this.”

In Kenya, snake farming is restricted. Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) issues licenses to persons willing to engage in the business.

Here are steps to start snake farming business:

*1. Find out the legal requirement*

Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) recently invited Kenyans to apply for licenses to conduct snake farming in Kenya. In a notice, KWS said:

“Are you interested in snake farming? To do it you need to acquire a license. Download the license application form for Authority to Operate Wildlife Utilization Enterprise,” the agency announced, providing the link below to a seven-page application form.

*2. Find a suitable location*

A good location is very important. When thinking of a location, consider the safety of the people around. So it is best you set in an isolated location so as to avoid human fatality. While snake only react when threatened, it can also react when accidentally stepped upon.

*3. Acquire snakes*

Your next target should be getting the snake into your snake farm. You can engage local hunters who are good with capturing snake. You should try to get as many species of snakes as possible but more emphasizes on the most lucrative specie

*4. Feeding the snakes*

Each type of snake eats different types of food. But almost all of them will eat mice. They also feed on rodents, insects, eggs, birds, fish, lizards, frogs, toads and others.
 
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