Negros occidental: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is conducting tests on the sugar content of harvestable sugarcanes in Negros Occidental to determine loss due to the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation. Data from the SRA showed tests on harvested canes, aged at least nine to 10 months, started last week in Cadiz City and Manapla in northern Negros.
According to Philippines News Agency, a statement from the office of SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona indicated that production data will be collected. This directive aims to guide the SRA in projecting production figures for the coming crop year. RSSI could reduce the sugar content of infested canes by almost 50 percent.
Data from SRA Visayas as of August 19 revealed that the infestation has affected 3,656.69 hectares of sugarcane areas since monitoring began on May 22. Negros Occidental recorded 3,509.83 hectares of infested sugarcane fields in 24 local government units, impacting 1,913 farmers in 162 barangays.
Negros Oriental reported infestation in 24.8 hectares of farmlands; Iloilo 82.19 hectares; Capiz, 27.7 hectares; and Leyte, 12.17 hectares. A total of 291.98 hectares of affected areas have recovered, mostly in Negros Occidental, with Manapla having the highest recovery at 136.64 hectares, followed by Bago City, EB Magalona, Murcia, and Victorias City.
Further recovery was reported in Mabinay, Negros Oriental; Anilao, Iloilo; and Sigma and Panit-an, Capiz, all at 10 hectares and below. The SRA-Visayas mentioned that procurement of additional pesticide assistance worth PHP10 million is underway through the Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region.
The SRA-Visayas continues to utilize current pesticide supplies through mill district development councils as part of the ‘quick response to pest outbreak project.’ Researchers at the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center in La Carlota City are conducting further field trials for the mass production of entomo-pathogenic fungi against RSSI.
