Snail Farming Modernization for Sustainable Heliciculture

A modern heliciculture initiative in Andalusia promotes sustainable snail farming to address overexploitation of wild populations, enhance biodiversity, and meet rising European market demand. Focused on innovative, mechanized breeding systems like Helicmas SL’s model, the project supports environmental conservation of endemic Iberian species (*Iberus quahilensis*, *I. alonensis*), reduces labor intensity, and advances gender equity in rural agriculture. Funded under the Andalusia Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 (Measure 16.1), it strengthens training, market access, and ecological practices across operational groups, ensuring climate-neutral, resource-efficient production aligned with regional policy goals.