More sugarcane fields reeling from pest infestation

BACOLOD CITY – The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation in sugarcane plantations in Negros and Panay  continues to spread, affecting 546.10 hectares as of June 2, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

The SRA said the infestation has affected 294 farmers in 16 towns and cities in Negros and two areas in Panay.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said he approved the P10 million in financial assistance requested by the SRA to address the problem.

Tiu Laurel and SRA chief Pablo Azcona recently visited affected farms to assess the damage.

Bago City in Negros Occidental appeared to be the hardest hit with 124.75 hectares ravaged by the pest followed by Cadiz City with  84.97, and Victorias City and Manapla with 74 hectares each.

Tiu Laurel said quarantine measures have long been implemented on planting materials, but some sugarcane planters transported cane seeds without securing permits.

He said the Department of Agriculture is investigating the matter.

A study conducted by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños showed that RSSI can reduce by 50 percent the sugar content of sugarcane.