LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines —The provincial government is ready to assist onion farmers affected by the armyworm infestation.
The Provincial Agriculture Office is drafting a rehabilitation plan for farmers in Basista town, which has been declared under a state of calamity due to the infestation.
Reports said 91 percent of the farms in the village were attacked by the worms.
Farmers were compelled to harvest early to save crops that were not yet damaged by the pest.
Officials said harvest declined from 10 tons per hectare to one or two tons.
Aside from Basista, worms also attacked onion farms in Bayambang, Alcala and Malasiqui.
Dalisay Moya, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said they would discuss the problem with the governor, particularly on providing assistance to farmers.
Moya said she advised onion farmers to shift to corn and other crops.