Grapevine

Study reveals invasive Apple Snail could spread further in Africa

New research reveals that the invasive Apple Snail—which threatens rice crops—could spread further in Africa. The study is published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.

A team of researchers from CABI's regional center for Africa in Nairobi, working with KEPHIS, suggest that South West along Tana River, Western Kenya and areas coastal areas are suitable for Apple Snail invasion as well as other countries including Malawi, Madagascar, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

However, the risk to Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia is deemed to be "very low."

The invasive Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) was first reported in Kenya in 2020 invading the Mwea irrigation scheme—one of the largest rice-producing areas in the country—where over 80% of the site is now infested.

Rice is the third most important crop in Kenya and plays a critical role in increasing household food security and increasing farmers' incomes. It is mainly produced under irrigation with production expected to increase with the construction of Thiba dam in Mwea.