Farmers in Maliq face major damage from field mice/ Lack of help from institutions

2025-02-16 13:07:00, Sociale CNA

Farmers in Maliq face major damage from field mice/ Lack of help from

The villages of the Maliq plain during the month of January are suffering from the problem of the field mouse, a rodent that has caused considerable damage to agricultural crops. A situation that is repeated every year in Maliq and has caused considerable damage to orchards as this rodent damages the roots of plants and other crops.

CNA has interviewed farmers and residents in the village of Zvirinë, Maliq Municipality, who have described the alarming situation they find themselves in.

Most of the residents of Zvirina engage in agriculture to provide income for their families, but during this month they seem to be encountering significant damage to crops such as potatoes, corn, wheat, and alfalfa.

Farmers say that the field mouse has ruined all their crops on their agricultural lands, while they are not receiving any response or assistance from the authorities regarding this situation.

"I have agricultural land that I plant everything, beans, corn, potatoes, a little of everything to support my family. The mouse has ruined our alfalfa, it has ruined everything. We don't know what to do. We have communicated with the agricultural institution, but they have not given us any kind of answer," said the resident.

"The mouse has multiplied too much. There are more mice than people. It has shredded our apples, potatoes, the mouse does everything. Everything we plant, even the onion, was eaten this year. No one comes out alive, they just say give us your vote. What vote should I give them," said the farmer.

Another farmer says that the field mouse situation is very alarming and that intervention is needed to disinfect all lands. Although some farmers have taken individual measures, it is still insufficient as the mouse returns from neighboring lands.

"Rats are a problem everywhere, but in the lands of Maliq they have always been and are a problem. The entire land must be disinfected because it is not enough to do it piece by piece. We have taken measures, but if I throw medicine and my neighbor doesn't, it is useless. It damages all crops, from potatoes, corn, wheat, alfalfa. There have always been losses because of rats, because rats must always be fought," the farmer said.

The agricultural specialist at the Maliq Municipality, Aurel Zenunllari, informed that this type of rodent causes considerable damage, while this sector has conducted field inspections to determine the affected areas and the extent of the damage.

"In the territory of the Maliq Municipality, there is a pronounced infection by the field mouse in the field area. The damage caused by this rodent is greater and more significant in orchards and perennial plants. The agricultural specialists of the Maliq Municipality have conducted field inspections and have determined the damaged areas, the degree of infection and damage. The damage is irreparable. We have also sent the relevant documents to the relevant institutions, giving them the necessary information about these areas that need to be combated as soon as possible because it is the season to combat this rodent. Almost all villages are affected, but the most affected are those dealing with orchards such as Burimasi, Zvirina, the Libonik unit and the Pirg unit. Farmers have made efforts to combat this rodent, but it is impossible for every farmer to achieve results, because not everyone can do it," the specialist said.

The field mouse has become a worrying problem for farmers in Maliq due to the significant damage it has caused to agricultural crops. The Municipality of Maliq has sent all the necessary information to the Ministry of Agriculture, which has promised to intervene in the entire affected area. /CNA