UTT has collaborated with the Agriculture Ministry to explore both the risks and potential benefits associated with the Giant African Snail.
The two recently hosted a national symposium themed “The Giant African Snail: Friend or Foe – Exploring Risks, Roles, and Resources”.
Discussions centred around the need for evidence-based protocols for handling and consumption, especially in light of the Health Ministry’s advisory against consuming raw or improperly cooked snails.
UTT Associate Professor Dr Marcus Ramdwar underscored this as a pressing national issue, requiring effective solutions for control and possible eradication.
He also outlined vital indicators for identifying the snail’s breeding environment.
In 2018, Dr Ramdwar received grant funding from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services of the US Department of Agriculture based on his project proposal, “Safeguarding Caribbean Food Security from the threat of the Giant African Snail”.
Through the ongoing efforts of Dr Ramdwar and his team, UTT remains committed to advancing scientific understanding and offering informed insight into the behaviour, risks, and control of the Giant African Snail.
