JKUAT Secures Sh128 Million to Make Cough Syrup from Snails

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has secured Sh128 million in funding to facilitate the production of medicine from snails bred at the institution.

The university plans to use the funds to produce cough syrup suitable for children under the age of five as part of the projects it is running to add value to the locally conducted breeding activities.

The university won a grant of about €950,000 (Sh128 million) from an Italian organization Cherasco Snail Breeding Institute.

Previously, the snail breeding value chain focused on making products such as edible snail meat, skincare products, organic fertilizers, and animal feeds.

“Persistent dry cough in children under the age of five is considered a matter of significant concern. The airways of young children are relatively smaller and less mature, making them more susceptible to infections and airway obstruction,” said Dr. Paul Kinoti, the project’s lead researcher.

“Persistent coughing can exacerbate existing respiratory infections, leading to conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and other illnesses which can be life-threatening.”

The syrup generated from the snail slime will provide competition to the existing drugs that pose life-threatening risks to children.

JKUA plans to support farmers to ensure enough supply of snails to produce the medicine.

“This will also create a sustainable supply of the highly sought-after snail in the African and European market. Kenya’s climate is one of the best for snail breeding, and is also the natural habitat of the giant African land snail,” Kinoti added.

Kinoti said the project is based on three types of snails – the giant African land snails (Achatina fulica), Achatina achatina found mostly in Ghana and Uganda and Achatina marginata found in Nigeria, Ivory coast, Cameroon, and Liberia.