Pest infestation expands to 1,505 hectares of sugar farms —SRA
The threat of Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI) infestation in sugarcane farms in Western Visayas has expanded further, now covering over a thousand hectares of production area, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Thursday.
In a statement, SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said that 'from 87 hectares of RSSI infestation, it has expanded to over 1,505 hectares in less than a month, the bulk of which is in the heart of sugarlandia, Negros Occidental, where it has spread to 1,490 hectares.'
The rest of the infestations are in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Oriental.
'While this is still a fraction of sugar cane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome and I believe that the real data can even be bigger as there are farms that have started their own remedy without reporting the matter to SRA,' Azcona said.
'On a positive note, there are 97 hectares monitored to have been recovering and that is a good sign,' he said.
The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. Azcona noted the seriousness of the situation, especially during the harvest season, when sugarcane and planting materials are frequently transported across regions.
To contain the pest, SRA said it has distributed pesticides, dispatched technical teams to train farmers, and requested emergency powers to use stronger pest-control chemicals.
'I am urging all sugar groups and farmers to report the extent of infestation in their farmlands to the SRA or through their MDDCs (Mill District Development Councils) to provide us a better picture on how to resolve the situation,' Azcona said.
The SRA chief also called on local government units, especially in highly infested areas, 'to declare a state of emergency as this will help us in expediting procurement of pesticides that can be immediately distributed to help abate this infestation.'
'The DA has approved a P10-million allocation for pesticide purchase but without the proper data, our hands are tied as well on how best to approach this situation and curb the spread of the RSS,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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a day ago
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Pest infestation expands to 1,505 hectares of sugar farms —SRA
The threat of Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI) infestation in sugarcane farms in Western Visayas has expanded further, now covering over a thousand hectares of production area, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Thursday. In a statement, SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said that 'from 87 hectares of RSSI infestation, it has expanded to over 1,505 hectares in less than a month, the bulk of which is in the heart of sugarlandia, Negros Occidental, where it has spread to 1,490 hectares.' The rest of the infestations are in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Oriental. 'While this is still a fraction of sugar cane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome and I believe that the real data can even be bigger as there are farms that have started their own remedy without reporting the matter to SRA,' Azcona said. 'On a positive note, there are 97 hectares monitored to have been recovering and that is a good sign,' he said. The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. Azcona noted the seriousness of the situation, especially during the harvest season, when sugarcane and planting materials are frequently transported across regions. To contain the pest, SRA said it has distributed pesticides, dispatched technical teams to train farmers, and requested emergency powers to use stronger pest-control chemicals. 'I am urging all sugar groups and farmers to report the extent of infestation in their farmlands to the SRA or through their MDDCs (Mill District Development Councils) to provide us a better picture on how to resolve the situation,' Azcona said. The SRA chief also called on local government units, especially in highly infested areas, 'to declare a state of emergency as this will help us in expediting procurement of pesticides that can be immediately distributed to help abate this infestation.' 'The DA has approved a P10-million allocation for pesticide purchase but without the proper data, our hands are tied as well on how best to approach this situation and curb the spread of the RSS,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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Containment efforts underway as sugar pest infestation spreads to Negros
The Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI) damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is intensifying its efforts to curb the growing threat of the Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI), a sugarcane pest that has now affected over 400 hectares in Negros Island, the country's key sugar-producing region. In an interview Tuesday SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona confirmed that the pest—first detected in Tarlac and Pampanga in late 2022—has reached multiple provinces across Negros and has reportedly crossed over to Panay Island. 'Yung total na latest na report na kuha po is a total of 424 hectares na po at 222 farmers ang apektado,' said Azcona during a briefing in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. (According to the latest report, a total of 424 hectares and 222 farmers have been affected.) 'Umpisa po siya sa North, umabot na po siya hanggang Central Negros, tumawid na po ng Oriental, at may reports na pati sa Panay.' (It started in the North [Luzon], has reached Central Negros, crossed over to Negros Oriental, and there are reports it has also reached Panay Island.) The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. Azcona noted the seriousness of the situation, especially during the harvest season, when sugarcane and planting materials are frequently transported across regions. To contain the pest, SRA said it has distributed pesticides, dispatched technical teams to train farmers, and requested emergency powers to use stronger pest-control chemicals. 'Umikot tayo at namigay ng pesticides, tinuruan din po natin ang farmers kung paano ito i-control.' (We went around and distributed pesticides, and also trained the farmers on how to control it.) A multi-agency task force has also been formed, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Negros Island Region officials, and local government units. Drone spraying is being tested as a rapid containment method. Despite the concerning situation, Azcona assured the public that the outbreak is still under control. 'Out of 250,000 hectares ng sugarcane sa Negros, 424 hectares pa lang ang apektado. Hindi pa po ganoon kalaki.' (Out of the 250,000 hectares of sugarcane in Negros, only 424 hectares have been affected so far. It's not that extensive yet.) Still, he warned that if the RSSI infestation worsens, it could impact national sugar output, given that Negros accounts for about 65% of the country's production. 'If tinamaan ang buong Negros, masakit talaga sa national production.' (If the entire island of Negros is hit, it will seriously hurt national production.) SRA is also coordinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry and the DA to establish stricter movement controls of planting materials between islands. Azcona revealed that the agency is seeking quarantine powers to avoid further pest migration. 'We are asking the DA and BPI na hindi pwedeng maglipat ng planting materials from one island to another without coordination and permits.' (We are asking the DA and BPI to prohibit the transfer of planting materials from one island to another without proper coordination and permits.) On another front, the SRA is tightening its oversight of sugar substitutes. By November, all importers of sugar alternatives using tariff code 1702 must register with the SRA. This move aims to curb smuggling and prevent revenue losses. 'May mga gumagamit ng 1702 pero ang laman ng container ay 1701. So nalulugi ang gobyerno sa tamang tariff,' Azcona said. (Some use code 1702 but the container actually contains 1701. So the government loses tariff revenue.) 'We just want accurate data and to make sure the government collects the right tariffs.' Unregistered importers will no longer be issued import clearances under tariff code 1702, which covers alternative sweeteners. 'They will not be allowed to import. We can only release import clearances for legitimate international sugar traders.' Azcona concluded with a call for greater biosecurity awareness, cooperation among agencies, and long-term pest management planning to safeguard the country's sugar industry from future threats. —RF, GMA Integrated News
