Farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are now battling an unexpected increase of snails, which have swarmed newly planted rice seedlings after days of continuous rain.
Many farmers began planting rice in the last week of May, timing it two weeks ahead of the expected release of irrigation water from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
While water levels were just enough to support transplanting, the early onset of the rainy season brought a bigger problem.
“Kinakain nila ang palay namin. Uubusin nila,” Dominador Gotongan, a rice farmer, said.
The sudden increase in snail population is being blamed on continuous rains and the early effects of the habagat or southwest monsoon.
“’Yung mga kuhol, talagang lumalabas na sila basta may tubig na lumalabas na,” Gotongan added.
The Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office said they are aware of the issue. While many farmers already know how to deal with the pest, agriculture officials will still visit barangays to monitor the situation closely.
“May mga dapat silang gawin, like sa water, may treatment. Tapos integrated planting ang sinasabi natin,” Manuel Aquino, Rice Coordinator of the Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office, said.
As of now, the office is still waiting for NIA’s official announcement on when irrigation canals will begin regular water distribution.
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