African snail infestation threatens cardamom plantations in Idukki

A massive infestation of African snails is posing a severe threat to cardamom plantations in the Bison Valley panchayat of Idukki.

According to Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) officials, the snail attack has affected six wards of the panchayat, causing large-scale cardamom damage. An expert team from KAU visited the farmers to demonstrate methods to prevent snail infestation.

R. Narayana, associate professor of the Department of Nematology, KAU, Vellayani, who led the visit, said, “Plantations in Bison Valley are filled with dried leaves and organic waste, which provide an ideal habitat for the snails to breed. Only a joint effort by all farmers in the area can curb this menace. We demonstrated how to use food traps to attract and destroy the snails.”

“African snail infestation was contained in Ezhukone panchayat in Kollam district through the joint efforts of local bodies and affected farmers. The local panchayat and farmers here must adopt a similar collaborative approach to tackle the issue,” the official added.

Bison Valley agriculture officer Smitha S. Kumar stated that the lack of active waste removal in some plantations has resulted in the massive spread of the snails. “We have already reported the issue to the Agriculture department and the Bison Valley panchayat. Joint efforts are now under way to prevent the snail menace,” Ms. Kumar said.

“Scientists have advised using a copper sulfate spray to protect the plantations,” the official added.

According to the officials, African snail infestations have been reported in the district since 2018. “The infestation is now spreading to many other panchayat areas in the district, posing a significant threat to plantations,” an official said.