The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported recovery in more than 17 hectares of sugarcane farms affected by red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in Negros Occidental but sustained intensified field response as the infestation continues to increase, its latest report showed yesterday.
“I know that the sugar industry is very important for the Negros Island Region and the SRA and the Department of Agriculture [DA] will work with 101 percent effort in finding a solution. This solution entails the cooperation of everyone,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said during the stakeholders’ forum at the SRA Bacolod Social Hall.
Negros Island produces 65 percent of the country’s sugar output.
As of June 6, a total of 841.70 hectares planted by 465 farmers have been validated with infestation in Negros and Panay.
Of the 21 affected local government units (LGUs), 17 are located in Negros Occidental.
Data showed that of the affected 808.60 hectares planted by 461 farmers, 667 hectares have only mild infestation; 99.27 hectares have moderate infestation; and 42 hectares have severe infestation.
“There are fields/areas of one farmer which experienced different degrees of infestation/s. Further, other areas fall under no infestation/early detection. However, no significant damage was imposed,” SRA agriculturist Mikko Libo-on said in his presentation.
About 17.61 hectares of sugarcane farms in northern Negros, planted by five farmers, are recovering.
These are located in Manapla, 8.25 hectares; Victorias City, 6.36 hectares; and Silay City, three hectares.
“These areas are recovering as farmers followed the recommendation to immediately apply insecticides, even on non-infested fields, and to de-trash infested leaves and burn them away,” Libo-on said.
SRA Deputy Administrator Ignacio Santillana said at the mill district level, actions taken include field monitoring, information dissemination, education and communication distribution, validation and geotagging of reported infestation and provision of technical assistance and advisories.
They have also been coordinating with municipal and city agriculture offices, mill district development councils, planters’ associations, and sugar mills, he added.
Santillana said in the research level, the SRA is conducting validation of reported pest incidence and collecting samples for laboratory observations of both pests and natural enemies for biocontrol.
Other actions taken include coordination with the National Crop Protection Center and DA-Bureau of Plant Industry entomologists and plant quarantine service personnel and conduct of orientation with LGUs, DA, SRA, and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist field personnel. (PNA)