Philippines to partner with US biotech firm to tackle agricultural pests

The Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines is taking proactive steps to combat the Cecid fly infestation that severely impacts the country’s mango production and export potential.

To address this pressing issue, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. has announced plans to enlist the expertise of Sun & Earth Microbiology LLC, a biotechnology company based in Florida, known for its innovative approaches to agricultural challenges.

Secretary Tiu Laurel expressed the department’s willingness to explore the efficacy of Sun & Earth’s solutions, which have previously shown promising results in controlling fusarium wilt in bananas.

This fungus is notorious for causing discoloration, wilting, and ultimately killing plants, and it also affects other key Philippine crops such as abaca and coconut trees.

Laurel’s interest extends to the company’s methods for managing rice bug infestations as well.

Sun & Earth has proposed the use of biological microbes that have demonstrated success against similar pests in countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Vietnam.

The company’s strategy involves deploying biological control agents that paralyze Cecid flies, which have devastated mango orchards in Palawan, affecting approximately 100,000 hectares.

These pests are responsible for up to 80 percent fruit loss, leaving behind brown scab-like spots on mangoes and typically infesting trees post-flowering.

While Sun & Earth has raised concerns about obtaining clearances from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for their customized products, DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro indicated that the department is prepared to engage in discussions with the FDA to facilitate this critical intervention.