Gov't to form taskforce to handle snail and rats menace in Mwea rice fields, CS Muriithi says

Speaking in Mwea after touring Thiba dam and all national irrigation authority projects Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muriithi said the task force will involve the Ministry of agriculture and the county government of Kirinyaga.

Muriithi said rats and snails have affected rice production in the scheme and the ministry is now using biological methods to fight the menace in the scheme.

“We are  looking at a biological  control  for now  by introducing  small fish like  catfish  to eat  the snails  but the issue of rat traps  is not enough  as there are very many,” CS Muriithi said.

The Cabinet Secretary also said the ministry is going to benchmark on other irrigation schemes with the same problem.

“This is a foreign thing that has come up recently,” he said.

Mwea rice farmers are now struggling to protect rice crops from the devastating impact of golden snails and rats.

Rats have also invaded the scheme wreaking havoc on rice nurseries where farmers are urging the government   to urgently control the rodents.

The CS said the government is committed to increase production in Mwea rice scheme after Thiba was constructed.