Farmers in Anh Son catch tons of golden apple snails in just one morning.

(Baonghean.vn) - Although the golden apple snail infestation was brought under control from the beginning of the season, it has reappeared in many spring rice fields in the mountainous district of Anh Son, with even denser numbers and distribution. On the morning of March 26th, residents of Phuc Son commune, after launching an effort to combat the infestation, caught and disposed of tons of golden apple snails.

On the morning of March 26th, residents of Hamlet 2, Phuc Son Commune, caught 400kg of snails and 50kg of snail eggs. Photo: Huyen Trang

Having only been out in the fields for a little over an hour on the morning of March 26th, Mrs. Tran Thi Sen from Hamlet 2, Phuc Son Commune, had already caught more than 10 kilograms of golden apple snails.

Ms. Sen said: "We have a few acres of spring rice, currently in the heading stage, but for more than a week now, golden apple snails have appeared in unusually large numbers. Our family is focusing on catching them to control this harmful pest."

Currently, 150 hectares of rice fields in Phuc Son commune are affected by the reappearance of golden apple snails. The commune has mobilized residents to go to the fields to control the outbreak. Photo: Huyen Trang

Besides catching snails in her own rice fields, Mrs. Sen also goes to other fields to help neighboring households catch them. According to Mrs. Sen, golden apple snails congregate in deep, waterlogged rice fields or along irrigation ditches, then come ashore to lay their eggs in the grass.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, head of Hamlet 2, Phuc Son commune: On the very first day of the campaign, more than 50 rice-growing households in the hamlet caught 400 kg of snails and 50 kg of eggs. The snails and eggs were purchased and processed by the commune.

This is the second time since the beginning of the season that people in Anh Son have gone to the fields to eradicate golden apple snails that are damaging the spring rice crop. Photo: Huyen Trang

Currently, golden apple snails are thriving. If not caught and dealt with promptly, they will harm crops in the next growing season. Photo: Huyen Trang

In Phuc Son commune, out of 290 hectares of spring rice, 150 hectares are currently being "attacked" by golden apple snails. The density is 5-7 snails/m2; 3-4 egg clusters/m2.²There are even more fields where the snail density is higher.

Mr. Nguyen The Phuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Son commune, said: "This is the peak egg-laying season for golden apple snails. To control the spread of this pest in subsequent seasons, the local authorities are mobilizing all residents to go to the fields to catch golden apple snails. Accordingly, people in all 25 villages are simultaneously going to the fields. To encourage people to combat the outbreak, the commune has decided to purchase young snails at 3,000 VND/kg and eggs at 20,000 VND/kg. After purchasing the snails from the people, the commune will process them using salt and chemicals."

Huyen Trang