The Ministry of Agriculture has launched the invasive apple snails Pilot control operation in Mwea rice scheme, Kirinyaga County.
Agriculture PS Harsama Kello speaking in Mwea said that Bio grade Pesticides will be used to manage and control the snail population that affects rice from spreading to other rice growing areas. The Ministry has already procured 20,000 litres of this product to mitigate against the migratory pest .
Rice is a vital crop in Kenya and ranks third among cereals and prioritized under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).The Ministry is implementing the National Rice Development Strategy Phase 2 (2018-2030) to enhance production , decrease grain loss, raise farmer income, and improve food and nutrition security.
The Ministry is also promoting adoption of high yielding rice varieties such as Komboka which produces up to 40 bags of 50 kg each per acre.
The Multi-Institutional Technical Team (MITT) and county extension staff will work together to monitor the success of this pilot control operations for Golden apple snail.
