DA teaming up with US firm vs PH mango pest

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced that it will enlist the aid of a US-based company to help destroy pests that affect the Philippine mango.

According to the DA, it will invite experts from Florida-based biotechnology company Sun & Earth Microbiology LLC to help eradicate Cecid flies (Procantarinia mangivora).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that, aside from products against mango pests, the DA would also look into its other products that can fight fusarium wilt in banana, abaca, and coconut trees, as well as products against rice pests.

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The Fusarium wilt is a type of fungus that can infect plants, turning their leaves yellow and causing the plant itself to die.

The DA said that the US firm would use biological microbes that were previously tested on insects in Venezuela, Colombia, and Vietnam and that biological control agents would be used against the Cecid flies.

The DA added that it will also collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration regarding the entry of the US firm’s products into the Philippines.