By Umar Nsubuga
Rice farming in Uganda has become a lucrative venture, but it comes with its fair share of challenges.
Among the most daunting is the relentless attack from quelea birds, small but destructive pests that can wipe out an entire rice field if not properly managed.
Alvin Katungi, the General Manager of Zeus Agro, a major rice producer, knows this struggle all too well.
Alex Kyobe an expert in pest control, shares insights into dealing with the quelea menace and how spraying might be the ultimate solution.
“These birds are a nightmare,” says Katungi.
“They descend on the rice fields in thousands, devouring the crop at a rate that leaves us struggling to keep up. It’s an ongoing battle,” he explains.
Katungi explains that quelea birds are particularly attracted to rice during the grain-filling stage, a critical period when the plants are most vulnerable.
“At this point, the birds can cause massive damage, reducing yields significantly,” he adds.
“And since they move in large flocks, it’s not just one or two fields affected. It can be entire areas.”
The challenges extend beyond just crop losses.
“Managing these birds is expensive and labour-intensive,” Katungi continues.
“We have tried various traditional methods, such as scarecrows and loud noises, but these birds are smart they quickly adapt to those techniques. It’s frustrating, especially when we know how much potential yield is at stake.”
Zeus Agro grows large quantities of rice, which makes them a prime target for quelea invasions. As the general manager, Katungi is tasked with finding effective solutions to keep the birds at bay.
“Our rice is in demand, but protecting it from quelea birds requires constant vigilance,” he notes.
“We have to invest heavily in bird control measures, and even then, it’s not always foolproof.”
Kyobe, pest control expert, has seen the devastation quelea birds can cause firsthand. According to Kyobe, one of the most effective methods to control the quelea population is through spraying.
“Expeditious spraying is, in many cases, the only viable solution,” Kyobe says.
“The quelea birds breed rapidly, and their numbers can get out of control if not dealt with quickly.”
Kyobe explains that targeted spraying with environmentally safe pesticides can reduce the bird population without harming other wildlife.
“It’s a delicate balance. You don’t want to disrupt the ecosystem, but at the same time, if you don’t act swiftly, you risk losing the entire crop,” he says.
“Timing is crucial. The spraying must be done before the birds cause too much damage.”
Beyond spraying, Kyobe suggests an integrated pest management approach to minimise reliance on chemicals.
“While spraying is effective, farmers should also look into combining other methods such as bird traps, netting, or planting buffer zones with crops that aren’t attractive to quelea birds,” he advises.
“This way, you reduce the bird population while also protecting the environment.”
Katungi, however, points out that large-scale operations like Zeus Agro face unique challenges.
“For small farms, some of these methods might work. But when you are managing thousands of acres, you need a more robust solution, and for us, spraying has been that solution,” he emphasises.
