• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With Negros and Panay sugarcane farms already affected by the red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI) infestation, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and farmers are joining hands to prevent the pest from transferring to Mindanao, especially in Bukidnon.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said on Tuesday (July 1) that Mindanao recorded an increase in sugar production by 103,000 metric tons (MT), of which 97,000 MT came from Bukidnon this year.
On the other hand, Negros increased its sugar production by only 2,000MT, Azcona added.
“We are trying our best to protect Bukidnon from RSSI,” the SRA head said.
He lauded the vigilance of farmers as to the recent entry of canepoints, which originated from Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, which was immediately treated to ensure that it will be RSSI-free.
More than 1,900 hectares of sugarcane fields in 18 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental and one in Negros Oriental have been affected by the RSSI infestation as of June 25.
About 228.16 hectares of infested areas were reported by SRA to be under recovery.
“We cannot totally eliminate it right away, but through education and awareness of the farmers, we will learn to control it, live with it, and prevent it,” Azcona said.
He also reiterated his request for the affected LGUs to declare a state of emergency for the SRA to fast track the procurement process for pesticides to stop the spread of RSSI infestation.
The Department of Agriculture has allocated P10 million for SRA to purchase pesticides.
Azcona said they are developing and breeding “parasitoids”, which is endemic in the province, to combat the pest infestations.
SRA earlier reported that RSSI infestation may potentially reduce the sugar content of infested canes by almost 50 percent.
“Hopefully, it will not affect the sugar production next year,” Azcona said, noting the increase in sugar production in the last three years. | GB
