Anh Son farmer catches tons of golden apple snails in just one morning

(Baonghean.vn) - Although the golden apple snail epidemic has been controlled since the beginning of the season, at this time, in many spring rice fields in the mountainous district of Anh Son, golden apple snails have reappeared, with a higher number and distribution. On the morning of March 26, people in villages of Phuc Son commune, after deploying to fight the epidemic, caught and processed tons of golden apple snails.

On the morning of March 26, people in village 2, Phuc Son commune caught 400kg of snails and 50kg of snail eggs. Photo: Huyen Trang

After only being in the field for more than an hour on the morning of March 26, Ms. Tran Thi Sen in village 2, Phuc Son commune caught more than 1 nest of golden apple snails.

Ms. Sen said: "My family has a few acres of spring rice, which is currently in the earing stage, but for more than a week now, many golden apple snails have mutated. Our family is focusing on catching and controlling this harmful organism."

Currently, the entire Phuc Son commune has 150 hectares of rice infected with golden apple snails, and the commune has mobilized people to go to the fields to fight the epidemic. Photo: Huyen Trang

Not only does Ms. Sen catch snails in her own field, she also goes to other fields to help catch them for the surrounding households. According to Ms. Sen, golden apple snails are concentrated in deep fields with water or ditch banks, then come ashore to lay eggs in the grass.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Head of Village 2, Phuc Son Commune said: On the first day of the campaign, more than 50 rice-growing households in the village caught 400 kg of snails and 50 kg of eggs. The above snails and eggs were purchased and processed by the commune.

This is the second time since the beginning of the season that Anh Son people have gone to the fields to combat the golden apple snail epidemic that is harming spring rice. Photo: Huyen Trang

This is the time when golden apple snails grow strongly. If not caught and treated promptly, they will harm crops in the next season. Photo: Huyen Trang

The whole Phuc Son commune has 290 hectares of spring rice, and at this time, up to 150 hectares of rice are being "attacked" by golden apple snails. Density 5 - 7 snails/m2; 3 - 4 egg nests/m2². There are even fields where snail density is denser.

Mr. Nguyen The Phuong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Son commune said: "This is the time when golden apple snails lay eggs in abundance. To control this harmful organism from spreading to the following seasons, the locality is mobilizing all people to go to the fields to catch golden apple snails. Accordingly, people in 25 villages simultaneously went to the fields. To encourage people to fight the epidemic, the commune has a policy of purchasing 3,000 VND/kg of baby snails and 20,000 VND/kg of eggs. After purchasing snails from the people, the commune will focus on treating them with salt and chemicals.

Huyen Trang