DAF-ARMM scrambles to contain rat infestation problem

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - The agriculture department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is scrambling to address rat infestation in farms in dozens of barangays in Maguindanao province.

Reports reaching the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-ARMM said as of Friday, rats destroyed close to P6 million worth of rice and corn crops in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Northern Kabuntalan, Sultan Mastura and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns.

ARMM’s regional agriculture secretary, Alexander Alonto, said farm technicians have been deployed in the affected towns to help farmers address the problem.

Maguindanao is a component province of ARMM, which also covers Lanao del Sur, also in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Alonto said DAF-ARMM workers have been distributing pesticides to farmers since last week to curb the spread of rats in other areas.

Khadiguia Abdullah, DAF-ARMM’s information director, said almost 2,000 hectares of rice and corn farms in Maguindanao province had been ravaged by rats since early January.

Abdullah said 2,000 bags of Zinc Phosphide, a potent poison for rodents, were distributed to farmers in the affected towns.