GENERAL Santos City – Still reeling from the effects of the prolonged dry spell, farmers in Region 12 are facing another devastating threat with the emergence of various farm or crop pests in the area.
Amalia Jayag-Datukan, Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12 executive director, said they have monitored pest infestations in some farm areas in the region that could potentially lead to significant crop losses.
She said there were already noted attacks of rats or rodents in some parts of the region, especially in corn and palay production areas in South Cotabato province.
They are presently anticipating for the emergence of army worms, grasshoppers and other destructive pests, she said.
“These pests usually come out after a long dry period so we’re closely watching our farm areas to prevent possible massive infestations,” Datukan said.
The official said the agency has already positioned its interventions to help avert and control pest attacks, especially in the vulnerable areas.
She said a team from the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) is currently conducting monitoring in farm areas in Sarangani Province.
Sarangani, which suffered heavily from the impact of the dry spell, is among the identified areas that are considered highly vulnerable to pest infestations.
Datukan said RCPC personnel are currently assisting farmers in the area in adopting various natural methods in controlling and eliminating pests.
She said these include the use of Metarhiziumanisopliae, a microbial pathogen that is known to be effective in controlling the populations of rice black bugs (RBB).
Metarhizium mainly attacks RBB with its green toxin-producing spores, which eventually paralyze the pest and then kill them.
DA-12 earlier introduced the use of Metarhizium in South Cotabato and initially distributed 9,000 packs of the pathogen to farmers in Norala, Banga and Sto. Niño towns.
“We’re focusing right now on the adoption of natural or biological control methods. But if these would not be enough, we have standby insecticides and pesticides that are ready for distribution,” she said.
The agency earlier reported around P944 million in losses to crops and livestock in the region as a result of the prolonged dry spell, which was triggered by the mild El Nino Phenomenon that hit parts of the country.
In terms of value, the agency listed production and opportunity losses of P571.128 million for corn, P259.882 million for rice, P101.55 million for high-value crops and P11.52 million for livestock. (PNA)
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