Insect infestation in Western Visayas spreads further
West Visayas. INQUIRER FILES
BACOLOD CITY — The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation has expanded across sugar-producing plantations in the Visayas, increasing from 87 hectares on May 22 to 1,505 hectares as of June 18.
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said Negros Occidental was the hardest hit by the RSSI infestation, which can reduce sugar content by nearly 50 percent.
He reported that at least 1,490 hectares of sugar land in Negros Occidental were affected, while 15 hectares in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Oriental were infested.
“While this is still a fraction of sugar cane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome and I believe that the real data can even be bigger as there are farms that have started their own remedy without reporting the matter to SRA,” he said in an interview on June 19.
READ: Insect infestation spreads in Negros Occidental sugarfields
On a positive note, Azcona said 97 hectares under monitoring have shown signs of recovery.
He urged all sugar groups and farmers to report the extent of infestation in their farmlands to the SRA or through their Mill District Development Committees to provide a clearer picture of the situation and help formulate effective solutions.
”We are also urging the local government units, especially in highly infested areas, to declare a state of calamity as this will help us in expediting procurement of pesticides that can be immediately distributed to help abate this infestation,” Azcona said.
“The DA has approved a P10 million allocation for pesticide purchase but without the proper data, our hands are tied as well on how best to approach this situation and curb the spread of the RSSI,” he added.
The RSSI is a sap-sucking pest that feeds on the lower leaves of sugarcane and moves upward as the infestation progresses, according to the Philippine Sugar Research Foundation Inc. (PHILSURIN).
The pest produces a sticky substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold, making the plants appear dirty and unhealthy, it added.
RSSI is a concern because it causes yellowing, drying, and wilting of sugarcane leaves, weakening the plant and affecting overall crop health.
“It can spread quickly from one field to another if left unmanaged,” PHILSURIN said.
The Department of Agriculture earlier approved the P10-million budget requested by the SRA to curb the spread of the RSSI.
Azcona said the budget will be used to purchase pesticides as a quick emergency response, particularly for sugar farms managed by land reform beneficiaries.
He also said efforts are underway to stop the spread of RSSI promptly to prevent a potential sugar supply shortage.
“We have to stop the infestation because majority of the sugar supply is from Negros. We have about 250,000 hectares planted to sugarcane,” he added.
The presence of RSSI was first observed at the end of March in northern Negros Occidental and was declared an infestation on May 22 after it spread to over 87 hectares./mcm
