Harvest Fears as Snail Infestation Destroys Crops
An infestation of large snails is destroying rice fields in Preah Sihanouk province’s Prey Nop district, raising concerns among farmers that yields from this year’s harvest will be much lower than usual. Eng Samol, Prey Nop district agriculture director, said Tuesday that the snails had already spread to seven of the district’s 14 communes. … “The most effective solution is the traditional method, which is to place bamboo stakes out in the paddies; during the night, the snails climb up the stakes. Then it’s easy to collect them. This is cheaper than using chemicals and doesn’t harm the environment,” he [Cedac communications officer Him Khortieth] said. Mr. Khortieth suggested that the government should pay farmers to collect the snails, like it did during a similar infestation in 2006 to 2007. …
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/harvest-fears-as-snail-infestation-destroys-crops-34215/
