A recent report by the Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Office, which reflected the period from January to May 27, showed pest and disease accounted for around P15.8 million in crop damage.
A majority of the losses were recorded in Pontevedra, where around P10.7 million in losses were attributed to rats and rice black bug infestations. Rice black bugs, which infested crops in La Castellana last year, kill plants by sucking out sap through the stem and typically strikes irrigated areas.
Meanwhile, Cadiz City reported approximately P3.8 million in losses due to rats.
The city also recorded P45,900 in losses due to bacterial leaf blight, which refers to a bacteria that causes crops to wilt and dry out; along with P89,900 in losses as a result of tungro, a virus that discolors leaves and can either kill plants prematurely or delay their growth.
Among other localities, Cauayan also reported around P770,000 in bacterial leaf blight damages, while Pulupandan was affected by P264,000 in losses from the presence of rice black bugs./WDJ