Ducks Over Poisons: The Simple Solution Mwea Farmers Deserve But Aren’t Told
Mwea, Kenya’s rice heartland, now faces a desperate threat: the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). Since its invasion in 2020, these pests have wreaked havoc across over 30,000 acres, devastating rice seedlings and threatening food security. Yet the simplest and safest solution—introducing ducks—is being skimmed over.
Snails Devouring Fields & Farmers’ Profits
The snail invasion has been severe:
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Farmers report rice seedling losses of 50–80%, especially in direct-seeded and young transplanted rice.
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CABI-led research confirms yield declines of up to 14% and net income slashing by 60% in moderately infested plots.
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Pest management costs now average KSh 20,000 per hectare—mostly for laborer-led snail and egg removal.
Farmers struggle and lose, while the snail multiplies—there is no formal remedy in place.
Duck Farming: A Proven Natural Ally
Vincent Koskei, a researcher at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, puts it plainly:
“Domestic ducks can be put into fields during final land preparation or after crop establishment when plants are big enough … ducks will eat young snails.”
This method, long used in Asia, involves ducks roaming paddies and feeding on snails, weeds, and pests—boosting yields, fertilizing soil, and offering ducks for later sale.
What Farmers Are Already Doing
Local extension services are pushing integrated, labor-intensive strategies:
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Mass snail/egg collection campaigns
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Field drainage during vulnerable stages (0–30 days after planting)
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Physical barriers, handpicking, use of bamboo for egg collection, and even using papaya/cassava leaves as snail lures
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No approved molluscicide exists—forcing farmers into ineffective or harmful practices.
Government Response: Too Little, Too Late
The county launched a pilot using Biograde 300 SL, an organic pesticide deployment across 8,000 acres.
But even then, CS Eric Muriithi revealed:
“For now, we are looking at biological controls … introducing small fish like catfish to eat the snails.”
While commendable, these responses still dodge the duck option.
Why Ducks Deserve a Chance in Mwea
They tick every box:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural Snail Control | Ducks feed on young snails (but avoid rice seedlings if introduced at the right growth stage). |
| Cost-Effective | Ducklings are low-cost compared to expensive pesticides. Over time, they pay for themselves. |
| Ecosystem Friendly | No chemical runoff, no health risk, and added biodiversity. |
| Dual Income Potential | Post-harvest, farmers can sell duck meat or eggs. |
This aligns with both ancestral wisdom and modern agroecological science.
Mwea’s rice farmers deserve real solutions, not toxic patches. Ducks are smart, sustainable, and already proven. If experts fail to push this on-farm, Mwea farmers themselves should lead the pilot. Spread the word. Let’s save the rice, the yields, and the health of Mwea.
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