GENERAL Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA), Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj said, Thursday, that there is an above normal number of snails, called ‘kreketeh’, in some rice cultivation areas.

Speaking by telephone, he told the Guyana Chronicle that this is normal in the rainy season and advised that farmers, who are affected, should use the recommended measures to control the situation.
He said the planters are well aware of the chemical methods available for their use and pointed out that there is a ‘kreketeh powder’, which, usually, deals with the infestation.
Seeraj suggested that those who farm should keep a keen eye out for snail infestation, since the May/June rainy season is on and it is very common during periods of continuous rainfall.
He said the necessary steps must be taken as soon as the problem is discovered.
A letter, written by Mohamed Khan and published in the Wednesday edition of the Guyana Chronicle, highlighted the plight of Essequibo farmers, whose young paddy plants are under attack by snails.
The writer said only young rice plants are susceptible to being attacked by the ‘golden apple snail’, which feeds on, and cuts and kills the seedlings.
He related that the snails hibernate deep in the soil during the dry season but are active when water is available.
Khan said the creatures can damage almost 100 percent of the paddy field if they are not controlled.