Armyworm infestation far from alarming – OPA

By: Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Atty. Japhet Masculino assured farmers that the current infestation of the fall armyworm in the province is not alarming.

Masculino said that based on their latest data, around three hectares of corn crops in Escalante were infested.

In a meeting, the provincial task force and the surveillance team of the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas indicated that six local government units in the province were affected.

Masculino said he is confident that the infestation will soon be controlled as long as they continue spraying insecticides in the affected areas.

Latest data also show that La Carlota City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Himamaylan City, and San Carlos City were infested.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order creating a coordinating task force on the fall armyworm.

According to the order, there is a “critical need” to ensure preparedness and strengthen pest surveillance and management activities in the province.

The pest attacks rice, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and some vegetables.

According to a memorandum from the Bureau of Plant Industry from last May, the destructive pest has a high reproductive rate and is difficult to control as they have a natural tolerance against insecticide.