BACOLOD City — The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA), particularly the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), to immediately implement large-scale measures to curb the resurgence of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestations in sugar-producing areas.
CONFED President Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr. said sugar farmers from various regions have reported a renewed increase in RSSI infestations despite ongoing efforts to control the pest through natural and biological methods.
“Numerous sugar farmers have reported a resurgence of RSSI infestation in their farms. While they continue to implement natural and biological control measures, the infestation persists because the insects simply migrate to adjacent untreated sugar farms,” Valderrama said.
He stressed that experiences during the previous crop year showed that RSSI cannot be effectively controlled through isolated farm-level interventions alone.
“Last crop year, Negros and Panay experienced widespread RSSI infestations. We learned that arresting the spread of RSSI cannot be achieved by addressing the problem on an individual farm basis, as the insects easily transfer to nearby untreated farms,” he said.
Valderrama urged the DA and SRA to adopt coordinated, large-scale, and preventive interventions, including aerial spraying, to contain the pest before it spreads further across sugar-producing regions.
“We call on the DA and SRA to undertake large-scale preventive measures, such as aerial spraying, to stop the insects and prevent the infestation from expanding to other cane farms,” he added.
Data previously cited by the SRA showed that as of Aug. 19 last year, nearly 3,700 hectares of sugarcane farms had been affected by RSSI infestations, with the majority located in Negros Occidental. At least 24 local government units in the province were reportedly affected.
Valderrama emphasized the need for immediate government action, noting the rapid spread of the infestation during the last crop year.
“We urge the SRA to move with utmost speed because, based on last year’s experience, RSSI spread exponentially within just three months—from a few monitored areas in May 2025 to nearly 3,700 affected hectares by August 2025,” he said.
He warned that RSSI infestations can reduce the sugar content of cane by as much as 50 percent, posing a serious threat to farmers already grappling with rising fuel and agricultural input costs, as well as depressed millgate sugar prices.
“The impact of RSSI is potentially devastating for sugar producers. At a time when farmers are already struggling with high production costs and low sugar prices, a significant reduction in sugar recovery could further undermine the viability of their operations,” Valderrama said.
The CONFED chief said prompt and coordinated intervention from government agencies is crucial to prevent another large-scale outbreak and protect the country’s sugar industry from further economic losses./PN
