Bacolod City – The Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), is set to issue an order restricting the movement of sugarcane tops, in response to reports by the Sugar Regulatory Administration that the red striped-soft scale insects (RSSI) may have been accidentally brought into Negros from Luzon, according to Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, the DA regional director for Negros Island Region.
Barrogo disclosed recently that BPI representatives who arrived in Negros Occidental are presently in northern Negros for the site validation of affected sugarcane farms.
He added that they are coordinating with the SRA regarding the areas to be prioritized in the spraying of pesticides.
The SRA has sought emergency powers and the help of other government agencies to contain the spread of RSSI in Negros Island, which accounts for over 60 percent of the country’s sugar production.
Barrogo said that SRA wants to be able to conduct the emergency procurement of pesticides.
The RSSI infestations have affected sugar farms in the cities of Cadiz, Victorias, Silay, Sagay, Bacolod, Bago, and La Carlota, as well as the towns of La Castellana, Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, and Manapla in Negros Occidental, Mabinay in Negros Oriental, Anilao in Iloilo, and Sigma in Capiz. It has affected 222 farmers.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona earlier asked the DA and the BPI to disallow the entry of planting materials, whether for commercial or research purposes, without a certification from the SRA and/or the DA.
SRA also recommended that farmers refrain from purchasing cane points from areas identified with infestations, and to soak planting materials in pesticide before planting.
It is also looking into natural predators that can attack RSSI, with the hope that the infestations can be phased out through natural means, and not the use of pesticides which will increase the production cost of farmers.
While they are trying to avoid the use of chemicals, Barrogo said “this is just an emergency situation, and they have no choice in utilizing it.” Once we manage the population of RSSI, we will resort to sustainable ways of managing the infestation, he added.
Azcona said that they already sent a letter requesting a P10 million assistance from the DA, which was already received by Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel.
Laurel also tasked SRA to study the use of drones in spraying pesticides as “it might be worth using drones for its wide range of application and speed to contain the infestation.”
RSSI has been observed to grow in the underside of sugarcane leaves, and if drone use can reach the area, “we are ready to tap the private sector for drone use as it can spray at least 50 hectares per day.” Azcona said. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)