Following a Sipalay City infestation of grain bugs, which attack rice fields, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist yesterday reported the insects have cost around P8.3 million worth of damages to local plantations.

“Farmers in Sipalay City should be wary about the infestation,” said Provincial Agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino. “Farms which are not infected should take the precautionary measures.”

The infestation is said to be affecting 221 hectares of farmland, across 13 city barangays.

Despite Masculino referring to grain bugs as “new and emerging pests,” this is not the first time this year the city has had to deal with such an infestation.

Back in August, rice fields in Sipalay City and Hinoba-an were attacked by grain bugs.

The pest reportedly damaged a 25-hectare rice field in Sipalay City and a half-hectare field in Hinoba-an./PLL, WDJ