Latest news with #RSSI
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DA releases P10M for pest containment efforts in Negros sugar farms
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday has released P10 million for pesticide procurement in support of pest containment efforts amid the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) infestation threatening sugar production on Negros Island. 'We have ongoing pesticide spraying operations. With the support of the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) and our regional office here, I'm confident we can quickly contain the infestation,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. The Agriculture chief said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA to act swiftly to contain the infestation and prevent it from spreading across the island — the country's top sugar-producing region. Tiu Laurel ordered the Bureau of Plant Industry to trace the origin of planting materials suspected of carrying the pest from Luzon. 'This situation underscores the importance of following quarantine protocols to prevent similar outbreaks,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel and SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona inspected sugarcane fields in Bacolod City on Thursday as part of intensified efforts to combat RSSI. Azcona said SRA researchers have identified a parasite that can naturally control the RSSI population. 'But that solution will take time. For now, we must act immediately, so we are using chemical pesticides,' said the SRA chief. Moving forward, Tiu Laurel said the DA is eyeing to boost sugar production in the country through expanded irrigation, soil improvement using agricultural lime, and finding sources of higher-yielding planting materials. 'Increasing sugar production will allow us to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for sugar imports,' the Agriculture chief said. According to SRA data, the Visayas region accounts for 71% of national sugar output, with Negros Island alone contributing 63% of that total. Sugar plantations in Panay, Cebu, and Leyte make up the remainder. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
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
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Pest infestation monitored in sugar farms in Negros Occidental —SRA
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Wednesday said it has monitored an infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI)—which can reduce sugar content by as much as 50%—in sugar farms across six areas in northern Negros Occidental. In a statement, the SRA said it created a task force, headed by SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson, to control the infestation and seek quarantine measures from the Department of Agriculture (DA). SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona advised sugar farmers to be 'more vigilant' where they purchase their cane points, as the infestation is suspected to have been brought to Negros from Luzon, where an RSSI infestation has happened before and is still present in some farms. 'We cannot afford to have an infestation, as some farmers are already starting to plant their canes for the next crop year. We made a good showing this year despite the challenges brought about by the long drought, and I hope we can maintain the momentum and even exceed our targets for next year if we will all help one another in containing this infestation,' Azcona said. According to the SRA chief, RSSI can raise production costs and decrease yield, which can jeopardize the stability of the industry. The agency is expecting that sugar production in the previous crop year could reach 1.837 million metric tons (MT), higher than the initial estimate of 1.782 million MT. The SRA said that upon receiving reports from the field in north Negros, it sought the help of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, which facilitated the research and found at least five insecticides that may be able to limit the infestation. Based on the NCPC's study, buprofezin, dinotefuran, phenthoate, pymetrozine, and thiamethoxam have shown potential in curbing the spread. However, the SRA said, citing the NCPC, 'This is not conclusive until we conduct a second field trial in a different location,' before they can even seek an emergency-use permit from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), as 'these insecticides are not yet registered for sugarcane.' The SRA said Azcona will propose that the second trial be conducted in Negros. In the meantime, the agency will implement quarantine of canes from infected areas. Sanson said that the task force will set up an Operation and Monitoring Center to document and report all RSSI and related issues around the country and will facilitate coordination and consultation among SRA delivery units and partner agencies that are involved in the management of the RSSI. 'Supporting the task force is not optional, as it is essential in ensuring the future of the sugarcane industry,' said Sanson. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
