Farmers Face Devastating Rat Infestation, Leaving Nothing to Harvest

Pajau Media

10th September, 2025.

Due to a severe rat infestation, farmers in the Sumprabum, Injangyang, and Putao, Machanbaw regions are suffering devastating damage, leaving them with nothing to harvest.

"The rat infestation is extremely severe. It's worse than before. Farmers in Machanbaw have abandoned their fields because the infestation is so bad there's nothing left to harvest. This year, the Putao region will face difficulties with food and rice," said a farmer.

As it is a hilly region, it is difficult to find food for sustenance, and the residents of the Putao region primarily rely on hill farming for their livelihood. It is reported that the rat infestation is more severe than in previous years, causing rice plants to turn yellow, dry up, and die.

Locals say that besides clubbing rats to death, they do not know any other methods to combat the infestation, indicating a great need for education on rat prevention and control, as well as awareness campaigns.

The areas currently experiencing the worst rat infestations are Sumprabum, Injangyang, Putao, and Machanbaw, affecting almost all hill tribe farming operations in these regions.

It is known that the Putao region previously experienced rat infestations from 1977 to 1999 and again in the 2000s.

News- Pilan U