More sugarcane farms hit by RSSI infestation

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Infestation by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) continued to destroy sugarcane plantations in the Visayas, with Negros Occidental as the most affected among provinces.

Up to 4,324 hectares of sugarcane farms in the region were destroyed by the pest as of Sept. 2.

Negros Occidental reported the widest pest-affected area with 4,113 hectares followed by Iloilo with 83.69 and Leyte, 73.18 hectares.

The rest are Capiz with 29.50 hectares of sugarcane farms destroyed and Negros Oriental with 24.80 hectares, according to data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

The infestation has displaced 1,415 farmers in 102 barangays in Capiz, Iloilo, Leyte and Negros.

As of Aug. 19, data showed that only 291.98 hectares of sugarcane fields have recovered from the infestation.

Transport of sugarcane plants and planting materials from areas placed under quarantine is prohibited to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

A specific permit is required to transport sugarcane from quarantined areas.

“No sugarcane plants or planting materials should be transported outside of quarantined barangays, municipalities or provinces, whether for commercial or research purposes, except when supported by a permit issued by the SRA,” Sugar Order No. 6 read.

Transport may also be allowed once appropriate preventive measures such as washing and spraying of proper chemicals on sugarcane were undertaken.

The SRA said it is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry to enforce the policy.

“The RSSI attacks sugarcane leaves and reduces the sugar content of sugarcane by about 50 percent. If not contained, the infestation may wipe out the sugar industry not just in Negros and Panay, but in the entire country,”the SRA said.