• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) has further expanded across sugar-producing plantations in two Visayas regions, affecting 2,027.79 hectares as of June 25.
But the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), in tandem with the Department of Agriculture (DA), is also gaining ground in their recovery efforts in 228.16 hectares of sugarcane fields.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona has ordered the SRA research arm to study the effects of RSSI on recovered canes as soon as they mature and to check on the extent of damage as other countries reported that it can lower sugar content by as much as 50 percent.
Eighteen of the 32 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have been hit by RSSI infestation, affecting 1,980.44 hectares of sugarcane fields, with 1,072 farmers affected.
A total of 47.35 hectares of sugarcane fields were also attacked by RSSI in Mabinay in Negros Oriental; Anilao and Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo; and Sigma, Panitan, Pontevedra and Dao in Capiz.
Azcona urged affected LGUs, especially those in Negros Occidental, to declare a state of emergency, which will help them contain the spread of RSSI as to quarantine procedures, and in order to speed up procurement process for pesticide assistance among affected farmers.
The DA has already approved a P10-million fund for additional pesticide assistance.
With the existing quick response to pest outbreak project, Azcona said they continue to utilize and exhaust their current available pesticide supplies, which is carried out through the mill district development councils.
The top three LGUs with the highest number of RSSI affected areas are Cadiz City – 261.21 hectares; Victorias City – 237.1 hectares; and Manapla – 220.3 hectares, all in Negros Occidental. | GB
