By CESAR JOLITO III
The infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) has expanded to nearly 1,800 hectares of sugarcane plantations across the Visayas, raising concerns over its potential impact on the sugar industry, latest data released by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) showed.
As of May 29, the pest infestation has affected a total of 1,788.93 hectares of sugarcane fields, with Negros Island accounting for the majority of the affected areas.
The infestation has impacted hundreds of farmers and dozens of barangays across key sugar-producing communities.
Among the hardest-hit localities is Negros Occidental’s Murcia town, where 193.86 hectares of sugarcane farms have been infected, affecting 123 farmers in 11 barangays.
SRA records showed that central and northern Negros posted the largest affected area, with 880.01 hectares infested.
The affected areas include the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay, Victorias, San Carlos, Sagay, Cadiz, and Escalante; the towns of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Manapla, and Calatrava in Negros Occidental; as well as Canlaon City, Guihulngan City and Vallehermoso town in Negros Oriental, recording 324 affected farmers in 89 barangays.
The localities in southern Negros Occidental also reported significant infestation, as RSSI affected 765.29 hectares in 54 barangays.
A total of 482 farmers in La Castellana, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Bago City, Isabela, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Cauayan, Ilog, and Kabankalan City have been impacted by the pest outbreak.
In Negros Oriental, Bayawan City and Mabinay reported 75 hectares of infested sugarcane farms, affecting 21 farmers in nine barangays.
Agriculture officials have warned that RSSI poses a serious threat to sugarcane production.
The pest feeds on plant sap by attaching itself to sugarcane leaves, weakening the crop and reducing its productivity.
It also secretes a sticky substance known as honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold that further damages the plants and hampers photosynthesis.
The SRA continues to monitor the spread of the infestation and is coordinating with local government units, sugar farmers and industry stakeholders to implement control measures and prevent further damage to one of the country’s most important agricultural industries./CCJ, WDJ