MANSEHRA:
Impressed by worldwide practices the place snail mucus is extremely valued for its beauty advantages, Sidra Sajjad, an formidable feminine entrepreneur from the Mansehra district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, has turn into a pioneer in introducing snail farming to Pakistan.
With prior expertise within the natural enterprise, Sidra was intrigued by the financial potential of snail farming after studying an article highlighting its advantages. This spurred her to conduct intensive analysis on-line and satisfied her father, Sajjad Akhtar Swati, a retired major college instructor, to assist her imaginative and prescient.
In 2021, she established a snail farming operation on a three-kanal (roughly 16,335 sq. ft) plot in her hometown. “Snail farming is a burgeoning business centred across the extraction of snail slime, which is a sought-after ingredient in cosmetics and skincare merchandise,” Sidra defined.
She famous that snail mucus comprises antioxidants recognized to fight indicators of ageing, equivalent to wrinkles, uneven pores and skin tone, and sagging. “I confronted numerous issues and have become extraordinarily frightened at a number of levels after dealing with hardships and even failures, however stay dedicated because of which my expertise proved profitable,” she shared.
Her enterprise, branded as Prime Snail Mucus, has turn into successful story, thanks largely to the unwavering assist of her household. “Our farm homes over 500 kilograms of untamed snails in a pure surroundings maintained by a group of 32 employees,” Sidra shared.
Initially, the extraction course of precipitated stress to the snails, however persistent analysis enabled her to undertake a cruelty-free strategy.
“After doing steady analysis and laborious work we succeeded in finishing up the method of secretion within the `cruelty-free’ mode and our snails are handled with care all through the extraction course of,” she reiterated.
“For over three years, we have now carried out a lyophilisation course of and developed a proprietary, chemical-free extraction methodology,” she revealed. “This modern method ensures superior high quality and units a brand new normal within the business. On common, one kilogram of snail slime is extracted from 12 to fifteen kilograms of snails. After resting for one to 2 months, the snails regenerate and produce new mucus. The farm additionally contains a devoted laboratory the place extracted slime undergoes filtration utilizing ultraviolet (UV) mild to eradicate micro organism. The purified slime is then equipped in each uncooked and serum varieties based mostly on demand. The laboratory is provided to fabricate lotions and serums containing as much as 90% pure snail slime. Extra natural components like aloe vera, glycol, and vitamin A are added to boost the formulation. The ensuing merchandise, wealthy in very important minerals, are utilized in a spread of cosmetics, together with serums, facial masks, moisturizers, and fading lotions.”