By JEN BAYLON

The severe infestation of armyworms on crops has affected nine local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported yesterday.

Nilo Basco, OPA’s Crop Protection Coordination Section chief, said the infestation has already affected 558.23 hectares of crops, including sugarcane, banana and corn.

A total of 663 farmers from the cities of Himamaylan and Kabankalan, as well as the municipalities of Isabela, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Ilog, La Castellana, Cauayan, and Murcia, were affected.

The OPA is working closely with farmers, providing assistance on how to manage the infestation and prevent future outbreaks.

Armyworms typically emerge after a long dry season or drought, which makes this infestation particularly concerning given the effects of the recent El Niño phenomenon.

Aside from corn, banana and sugarcane, armyworms can also attack rice and sorghum./JB, WDJ