Snail farming is projected to boost the local economy in Jinzhu town. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Heliciculture – more commonly known as snail farming – is being seen as a path to increase the incomes of farmers in Jinzhu town in Suichang county, administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province.

On Aug 3, more than 30,000 white jade snails were sent to food manufacturer Jiaxing Hongfu Food Co – the first batch of snails sold from Shengtai Farm in Jinzhu.

Two years ago, Jinzhu town officials visited the Pinghu district in Zhejiang's Jiaxing city, where white jade snails have been bred for many years. They saw the business opportunity and decided to introduce the industry to Jinzhu.

The town's Shengtai Farm became the first to try it out. In May this year, farm head Zhen Jianhua signed an agreement with Jiaxing Hongfu Food Co and bought 40,000 breeding snails from the company.

"We can cultivate about 45,000 snails per mu (0.067 hectares) of land. A kilogram of snails can sell at 16 yuan ($2.37). Excluding costs, we can earn more than 20,000 yuan per mu," he said.

According to Zhen, a number of villagers have expressed their desire to breed snails. "I will provide them with breeding snails, technology and guidance for free," Zhen added.

The white jade snail is a variety of edible snail with high protein, low fat and low cholesterol. It contains more than 20 kinds of amino acids and various mineral substances.