Bacolod City – The Sugar Regulatory Administration is now working on an entomo-pathogenic fungi, which was discovered in Capiz, as it could help eliminate the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) pests that are attacking sugarcane fields in Negros and Panay island.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said they are now studying the culture and multiplication of two beneficial fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, as a long term solution to the RSSI problem.
So far, the fungus has aggressively attacked and killed the adult RSSI, including its eggs, said Azcona, who gave an inspirational message during the RSSI training workshop and management held yesterday at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
The RSSI infestations have affected about 2,9932.28 hectares of sugarcane fields, majority in Negros Occidental, affecting 1,612 farmers, according to the SRA. Azcona, however, clarified that a small percentage of the farms are considered severely affected.
“It’s a big breakthrough. It is a natural fungus in sugarcane, and not chemicals,” the SRA chief added.
“We hope to multiply it, to a point where we can give it for free to farmers for spraying”, Azcona said.
“We can actually teach the farmers’ associations, the local government units (LGUs) to replicate it, to multiply it. It’s easy to do, it’s a natural-occurring fungus in sugarcane,” he added.
Based on a study, SRA said that RSSI could reduce the sugar content of infested canes by almost 50 percent.
On the other hand, the SRA reiterated its call for the RSSI affected local government units to declare a state of emergency in their respective areas, in order to have a basis for fast tracking the procurement of pesticides to be used against the pests.
The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P10 million, while SRA allocated P5 million for the purchase of pesticides, according to Azcona.
In his opening statement during the activity, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the SRA for taking the lead and continuing to find sustainable ways to support the sugar industry.
While the sugar industry has been the key driver of the Negrense economy and identity, yet, we cannot deny that it has also faced a long history of challenges and difficulties, be it from market volatility, climate impacts, or threats from emerging pests, such as the RSSI, he said.
But I have always believed that the resilience, dedication, and ingenuity of our farmers, institutions and communities will see us through, Lacson said.
The training workshop was attended by Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, DA regional director of Negros Island Region, Paul Curran, chairman of the HPCO miling company, who is actively involved into doing research against RSSI infestation and discovery of the fungus. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)