INTERNATIONAL – Indramayu Regency in West Java, one of Indonesia’s most significant rice-producing regions, is launching an inventive ecological initiative to address an ongoing pest problem. Authorities are preparing to release 10,000 non-venomous snakes, known locally as “koros” and “lanang sapi,” into the rice paddies to help curb destructive rat infestations through natural predation.
The program, titled “Snakes: Farmers’ Friends,” was personally inaugurated by Regent Lucky Hakim in Sindang subdistrict, where hundreds of snakes were already liberated into the fields this past weekend. The goal is twofold: ensuring farmers preserve harvests while reducing reliance on harmful chemical pesticides. “Snakes effectively reduce rats in the fields and protect harvests without harming the environment,” regent Lucky Hakim affirmed.
To facilitate the initiative, authorities are also providing farmers with training on safely interacting with the snakes, emphasizing that the species pose no threat to humans. Indigenous to the local ecosystem, these reptiles will coexist peacefully with their human neighbors while keeping pest populations in check.
Read More: Engine Bursts Into Flame, Condor Boeing 757 Forced Into Emergency Landing
Indramayu’s agricultural footprint is significant last year, its harvested rice area spanned 212,297 hectares, underscoring the critical need for effective pest suppression. Farmers have responded positively to the program, appreciating both its ecological approach and its potential to mitigate crop losses.
Experts in biological pest management suggest that such humane, nature-based control strategies can achieve long-term results without the negative environmental consequences associated with chemical methods. While alternative biological controls, such as the use of predatory birds have been considered in other parts of Indonesia, the snake release strategy prioritizes localized, ecologically balanced pest control, harnessing a native predator uniquely suited to the rice field environment.
This bold program illustrates a growing trend toward integrated, sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia—balancing food security, environmental stewardship, and innovative local solutions. By transforming snakes into allies rather than adversaries, Indramayu exemplifies how rural communities can harness natural relationships to protect both livelihoods and ecosystems.
