Rice farmers at the Mwea irrigation scheme are still struggling to protect their rice crops from the devastating destructive impact of the golden apple snail.
The snail, notorious for its ability to slash yields on young rice seedlings have left farmers in distress and economies vulnerable to substantial losses.
During the practical ‘Training Unlocks Rice Farmers’ Agribusiness Potential’ on raising quality seedlings, transplanting and management of seedbeds organized by KALRO, control of snails emerge as major challenge among the farmers.
The invasive snail attack the rice from seedlings immediately after transplanting, posing a threat to quantity of rice production.
Dr. Ruth Musila, center manager Mwea Research center, said farmers are concerned about golden apple snails and are offering tips to them to control and have advised them to drain water after transplanting because the pest cannot survive without water.
Dr. Musila encouraged them to use biological methods as opposed to chemicals that may have side effects.
Lydia Mundia, rice farmer, urged the government to fast track research on ways to control the snails as they don’t affect the rice only but also spread human diseases.
