MYITGYINA-----Nearly 300 acres of paddy fields were destroyed by colonies of rats in Ingyanyan and Sumprabum Townships in Kachin State, according to the locals and Kachin State Agricultural Department.

The rats have been destroying the paddy fields since August. In some villages, almost paddy fields were completely destroyed.

“There have been colonies of rats which grow up.  Rodents completely ate the paddy in some plots. I think, there are hundreds of rats. They had destroyed the paddy fields only at night. All villages situated on Myitgyina-Puta-O motor road are in danger of rats,” said Zaw Moe Naw from Sumprabum Township.   

“There are a lot of rats in Sumprabum Township. They recently arrived in my paddy fields. I think, the rats invaded the villages in search of food. Over 1 acre of paddy fields out of 5 acres was destroyed. We sprayed insecticides in the paddy fields to prevent rats coming to the area again to destroy more paddy fields. We also laid the traps. We can’t control now. However, the amount of rats decreased,” said Zaw Myat from Ingyanyan Township.

According to the report of Agricultural Department, 220 acres of paddy and 3 acres of Chili were destroyed in Sumprabum and then 66 acres of paddy also damaged in Myitgyina Township. Locals and the experts commended that it was in danger of rats as bamboo is likely endanger of species nearly 50 years per time. There were mass of rats during this period.

“If there will be more animals which can eat the rats and the food will be lack, the amount of rats will decrease. In Kachin State, there were plagues of rats in Sumprabum and Khawtebu regions. Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Laputta Township in Ayeyawaddy Region had faced the plague of rats,” said Htay Lwin Head Officer of Kachin State Agricultural Department.