AJIT KUMAR NGANGBAM*, BIJAYALAKSHMI DEVI NONGMAITHEM, LAISHRAM LENIN, LAKSHMIKANTA KHUNDRAKPAM, LAIPHRAKPAM PINKY CHANU AND IROM PRECIOUS
Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management (SAIRAM), Imphal-795 001 (Manipur), India
*(e-mail: ajitkumarng83@gmail.com; Mobile: 94852 27590)
(Received: October 1, 2023; Accepted: November 9, 2023)
ABSTRACT
Gastropod resources are vastly underutilized and have the potential to significantly contribute to global food security, nutritional security, and national economic growth. Gastropods, particularly edible snails, are important fisheries resources in many parts of the world, primarily for food and shells. The purpose of this research was to assess the current use of edible gastropod resources and the potential for value addition in North-East India’s freshwater gastropod fisheries. Surveys of a representative selection of snail consumers were conducted in five north-eastern Indian states. In addition, key informant interviews with government representatives from Manipur were also surveyed. This research revealed that the majority of the snail consumers in the five north-eastern states of India range in age from 18 to 25 years, with a female predominance. Filopaludina bengalensis was the most preferred species among respondents for consumption. The majority of respondents’ knowledge on the traditional medicinal uses and health benefits of snails included use in treatment of chicken pox and measles. Pickling snail meat was the most popular method of value addition suggested by respondents. The survey revealed that no data from the Government Fisheries Department on total gastropod harvest were available. However, the Government respondents suggested that there was still potential for value adding the snail’s fisheries in Manipur. This research has shown that there is huge potential to further value add the snail meat, which is considered healthy, nutritionally rich with high vitamins and minerals, particularly high calcium. This could improve the health of larger populations, generate income and employment, and promote the region’s socio-economic development.
Key words: Gastropods, fisheries, survey, consumers, value add, snails