Jeonnam Province Takes Action to Minimize Damage from Wanguryeong Snails

Pomacea Canaliculata Survives Winter in Some Areas Such as Haenam and Jindo
Deep Plowing to Be Implemented on 16,000 Hectares in 10 Cities and Counties

The scene of the deep plowing with apple snails. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do is taking proactive measures to minimize damage caused by Pomacea canaliculata, including cultivating winter crops and thoroughly drying rice paddies through deep plowing.

According to Jeollanam-do on the 31st, due to last year's warm winter and frequent rainfall, Pomacea canaliculata survived the winter in some areas such as Haenam and Jindo, resulting in damage as they fed on newly transplanted rice seedlings.

Specifically, the affected area amounted to 1,593 hectares last year alone.

This preventive measure focuses on reducing the population of Pomacea canaliculata by taking advantage of their characteristic of dying when exposed to dry paddies or subzero temperatures during winter, through 100% drying of rice paddies by cultivating winter crops and deep plowing.

The main implementation period is until February. The target area includes all eco-friendly rice cultivation complexes and reclaimed lands at risk in 10 cities and counties in the southwestern part of Jeollanam-do, such as Haenam, totaling 15,943 hectares.

Managers will be designated for each complex and district, joint work teams will be operated, and a campaign will be conducted to advance the usual plowing period from March-April to the agricultural off-season.

Monitoring of Pomacea canaliculata overwintering and damage will also be strengthened. In addition, training on the use and management of Pomacea canaliculata, on-site education in villages near each complex and district, and promotional activities such as village broadcasts encouraging early deep plowing of paddies will be reinforced.

Kim Youngseok, Director of Eco-friendly Agriculture at Jeollanam-do, explained, "The most effective way to prevent overwintering damage from Pomacea canaliculata is to cultivate winter crops and dry the paddies through deep plowing during winter."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.