Pests infest 540 hectares of sugarcane

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BACOLOD CITY — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said more than 540 hectares of sugarcane plantation in the islands of Negros and Panay have been infested by the destructive red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI).

The SRA reports said that as of June 2 this year, 46 barangay in 16 local government units on the two islands have been affected by the pests.

These areas include Bago City (124.76 hectares), Cadiz City (84.97), Manapla (74.55), Victorias City (74.14), Murcia (63.62), La Carlota City (31.77), La Castella City (26.5), Silay City (22.97), EB Magalona (15.26), Bacolod City (7), Calatrava (6), Sagay City (5.32 hectares) and Toboso (4.63) in Negros Occidental.

A total of 294 sugar farmers were affected, the SRA said.

NUISANCE Red-striped soft scale insects have infested sugarcane farms in the islands of Negros and Panay. SRA PHOTO

The RSSI also affected vegetable crops in Mabinay, Negros Oriental; Sigma, Capiz; and Anilao, Iloilo.

The Inter-Agency Task Force against RSSI has already conducted site validation and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has already sprayed insecticide to some areas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that P10 million has been allocated for the Sugar Regulatory Administration to help curb the spread of the highly destructive RSSI.

"Whatever additional support needed by the SRA and Negros farmers, we will give it all," said Laurel, who inspected RSSI-hit farms in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

Laurel said there are quarantine measures for movement of sugarcane planting materials to prevent the spread of the pests.

"The movement should not be allowed without permits, but the country's coastlines are so wide they can easily be brought in," Laurel said.

"Now we are trying to crack down on it. This is not really allowed without permits."

The agriculture secretary also said that DA intelligence and enforcement personnel are investigating the source of the infected cane points.

Pablo Luis Azcona, SRA administrator, highlighted the need to immediately address the infestation in Negros Occidental to prevent a shortage in the supply of sugar.

"We have to stop the infestation because majority of the sugar supply is from Negros. We have about 250,000 hectares (planted to sugarcane) and almost 500 hectares have been infected," he said.

A severe infestation, he said, could reduce the annual sugar production by 50 percent.

"We hope to control it to ensure that our production will not be affected. The milling season is almost over, which makes it easier (to address) since the travel of canes has already been reduced," Azcona said.