In Karenni State’s Dee Maw Hso Township, local farmers cultivating summer rice crops on the eastern side of the township are facing significant crop losses this year due to widespread snail infestations, according to an agricultural field researcher.

“The primary issue is the snails,” the researcher explained. “Last year, farmers planted monsoon rice, but when the Balu Chaung River overflowed during the harvest season, they were unable to collect their crops, resulting in widespread destruction due to flooding. In response to those losses, farmers put extra effort into planting summer rice for the 2025 season. However, after the floods receded and planting resumed, a severe snail infestation followed. The snails multiplied rapidly and damaged the rice plants by destroying their roots.”

Farmers reported that this is the first year they have experienced such widespread destruction of rice fields due to snails.

In addition to the monsoon rice losses caused by flooding last year, this year’s summer rice cultivation has been severely affected by snail infestations, leaving returnee farmers—many of whom had previously fled due to conflict—fearing they may not produce enough rice to sustain themselves over the coming year.

Although farmers are using pesticides to combat the snails, the field researcher noted that the effectiveness is only temporary:

“They are buying and using pesticides advertised by companies, including snail pesticides from Thailand. Each bottle costs over 20,000 to 30,000 kyats. When they spray, the snails temporarily subside, but a few days later, they reappear. Even with chemicals, it’s not enough to control them,” the researcher explained.

Despite using pesticides, the snails continue to thrive, forcing farmers to manually remove the snails from their rice fields.

As the labor becomes overwhelming, some farmers are now hiring workers to collect snails, paying daily wages of up to 15,000 kyats per worker.