• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Armyworms ravaged 3,377 hectares of cornfields in Negros Occidental, affecting the livelihood of 5,256 farmers as of Aug. 12, according to the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
The damage brought by armyworm infestation in 120 barangays of 18 local government units (LGUs) reached P50.238 million.
San Carlos City reported the highest amount at P9.465 million, affecting 663.38 hectares tilled by 852 farmers in nine barangays.
Other LGUs affected by armyworm infestations are the cities of Himamaylan, Sipalay, Sagay, Bago, Cadiz and Kabankalan as well as the municipalities of Toboso, Hinigaran, Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Ilog, Calatrava, Moises Padilla, Murcia, La Castellana, Isabela and Hinobaan.
In the report, OPA officer-in-charge Dina Genzola said that the activated Bantay Peste Brigade is assisting in reporting pest infestation while spraying activities were conducted in Isabela, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, La Castellana and Murcia.
Assistance were provided by partner- agencies such as the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Regional Crop Protection Center and concerned LGUs.
Genzola reported that other pests also attacked cornfields in the municipalities of Binalbagan and Candoni as well as in the cities of Escalante, Silay and Bacolod, and also hit 10 hectares of sugarcane fields in Hinigaran and Himamaylan City.
Fall armyworms typically attack crops like corn, especially following a long, dry spell, followed by heavy rains.
When the worms transform into moths, they migrate to nearby fields, attacking corn and other crops, according to the DA. | GB
