Golden snails are now considered as pests in ricefields. DA-FAO (1989) recommends
some physical, mechanical, and biological measures to control snails. However, snail infestation
still poses a threat to rice farmers.
Enough snails are available in ricefields only during the rainy season. But there are other
sources, like rivers. Only existing sources must be tapped. The culture and mass production
of golden snails to be used as shrimp feed must not be encouraged, otherwise the problem
of infestation will never be solved. Feeding snails to shrimps may not be a long-term
solution, but meantime the farmers can use these pests while seeking for more efficient
eradication techniques. Collection of snails can be an additional or alternative livelihood
for rice farmers or fisherfolk, and also employ out-of-school youth. Since insecticides are
applied to ricefields, studies should be done to determine the safest time to collect the snails.
In conclusion, feeding P. monodon with golden snails and either cassava or maize
increases shrimp production, improves the size-frequency distribution of the harvest, and
is more profitable than using maize or snails alone.