Newswise — A recent study conducted by CABI warns of the potentially disastrous consequences of an apple snail invasion on rice production and food security in Kenya and other rice-growing regions across Africa. Led by Kate Constantine, a Project Scientist at CABI, the research underscores the severity of the problem posed by the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) (Lamarck), family: Ampullariidae) in Kenya's Mwea Irrigation Scheme. According to extension agents, apple snail ranks among the top five complaints from farmers, with agro-dealers reporting that 70% of daily complaints are related to this invasive species.
Through household surveys, focus group discussions with smallholder farmers, and interviews with key informants, the researchers found that the South American native apple snail can reduce rice yields by up to 14% and net rice income by up to 60% for farmers experiencing moderate levels of infestation (>20% of cultivated area affected).
The study highlights the urgency of implementing strategies to curb the spread of the apple snail. These strategies must encompass awareness-raising, outreach efforts, and capacity building at all levels of the farming system.
In Kenya, approximately 300,000 small-scale farmers are involved in rice cultivation, not only contributing their labor but also relying on it for their livelihoods. The Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga County alone accounts for 80-88% of the country's rice production.
With the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development projecting rice consumption to reach 1,292,000 tons by 2030, rice has been identified as a priority value chain in the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP 2018-2028) and National Rice Development Strategy-2 (2019-2030). These initiatives aim to transform Kenya's agriculture toward sustainable food and nutrition security and socio-economic development.
Nonetheless, there exists significant untapped potential for expanding rice production in the country, with estimates indicating a production capacity of up to 1.3 million hectares of irrigated rice.
According to Ms. Constantine, "Rice production has witnessed consistent growth in demand over the past three decades, with its ability to enhance rural livelihoods being widely acknowledged. In Kenya, rice ranks as the third most important cereal grain, trailing only maize and wheat, and its consumption is rising at a faster pace than its production."
"However, rice farmers in Mwea face an array of challenges, including water shortages, rice blast attacks, high input costs, low land productivity, machinery shortages, bird damage, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of resilient and suitable rice varieties."
"The recent intrusion of the apple snail has compounded these difficulties, posing a grave threat to rice production in the region and potentially across Africa."
Co-author Fernadis Makale added that, in response to the apple snail menace, a Multi-Institutional Technical Team (MITT) comprising representatives from various national and international institutions has been established to lead management efforts and provide consolidated advice to farmers on effective pest control measures.
The researchers discovered that farmers have resorted to increased chemical usage in their attempts to combat the apple snail, as well as adopting the costly practice of hiring labor to physically remove egg masses and snails.
Mr. Makale emphasized, "The negative impacts of apple snail will inevitably escalate as its spread continues. This demands urgent action. There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to potentially contain or even eradicate the snail before it becomes widespread in Kenya. Otherwise, the only feasible option left will be management, which comes with substantial economic, livelihood, and environmental costs."
The scientists assert that if no measures are taken to mitigate its spread, the consequences could be disastrous, not only for farmers in Mwea but also for regions beyond. For instance, if the snail infiltrates the irrigated rice-production area of Ahero, located at the edge of Lake Victoria, rice production in Tanzania and Uganda would be endangered, leading to inevitable further spread.
"Moreover," Ms. Constantine added, "there are grave food security implications, as apple snail threatens to undermine the progress made towards Kenya's self-sufficiency in rice production."
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