Sugarcane Pest Infestation Spreads to 1,505 Hectares

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the rapid spread of sugarcane infestation is becoming increasingly worrisome.

He said in a press statement Thursday that the area affected by the root-sucking scale insect (RSSI) has grown from 87 hectares to over 1,505 hectares in less than a month.

Azcona said the bulk of the infestation is in Negros Occidental, with 1,490 hectares affected, while the rest is spread across Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Oriental.

“While this is still a fraction of the total sugarcane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome,” he said.

“I believe the real number could be higher, as some farms have begun treatment without reporting the issue to the SRA,” he added.

Azcona noted that 97 hectares have shown signs of recovery, which he described as a positive development.

He urged sugar groups and farmers to report any infestation on their farms to the SRA or through their respective MDDCs to help provide a clearer picture of the situation.

“We are also urging local government units, especially in highly infested areas, to declare a state of calamity, as this will help us expedite the procurement and distribution of pesticides to control the infestation,” Azcona said.

The infestation has affected 23 local government units across Negros and Panay, including 17 in Negros Occidental, impacting 744 farmers.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture approved a PHP10 million allocation for pesticide purchases, but Azcona said that without complete data, the agency is limited in how to effectively respond to the crisis.