• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Sugarcane plantations across Negros Occidental are seeing encouraging signs of recovery as coordinated biocontrol spraying operations against the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation continue to gain grounds.
In Sagay City, Negros Occidental, about 5,800 hectares of sugarcane have been impacted by the pest.
However, aggressive localized interventions, including drone, mobile, and manual spraying operations, have successfully spurred recovery across more than 1,000 hectares, according to the report cited by 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also reported that the road spraying operations of the Provincial Biosecurity Task Force for Agriculture have covered 694.60 hectares across eight local government units.
He noted that applying entomopathogenic fungi along field borders creates vital protective barriers at key entry and exit points, effectively preventing the pest population from spreading further or escaping treated sectors.
“There are some good results where RSSI infestation has been lowered. We still have a long way to go, but we will continue with the treatment that we are pursuing right now,” Lacson said.
Of the 5,237.90 hectares of sugarcane plantations remaining under active observation, the task force categorized the 3,318.50 hectares with low infestation and 1,919.40 hectares with moderate infestation, which is predominantly impacting small planters and agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Initial post-application assessments such as those in Binubuhan, Bago City demonstrate visible fungal growth and healthier crop conditions, validating the biological response to the treatment protocols, Lacson said. | GPB
