ILOILO City – As farmers in Western Visayas begin planting rice for the wet season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a warning about potential pest infestations and diseases that could affect crop production.
Ryan Rasgo, the rice program coordinator for DA Region 6, said pest and disease infestations in rice plants are almost normally expected.
Topping the list of concerns is the rice black bug (RBB) which was sighted in some barangays last month during the full moon.
“We expect RBB to be a significant issue as the cropping season begins,” Rasgo said.
Another major concern is the brown planthopper, which is difficult to detect as it hides in the rice plant’s stalks. Farmers are urged to monitor their crops closely to detect the presence of this pest early.
Bacterial blight, a disease caused by fungus, is also expected to increase during the rainy season.
Rasgo also pointed out the persistent problem on rats, especially after prolonged periods without planting due to the El Niño phenomenon.
To control these pests, Rasgo advised farmers to clean not only their fields but also the surrounding areas, particularly those with tall grass where pests might hide.
“Sanitation is crucial,” Rasgo stressed. “It’s important to clean the fields and the surroundings to prevent pests from harboring in tall grass.”
The DA-6 also recommends synchronous rice planting among farmers to minimize pest populations.
Once planting begins, especially when the plants start to mature, continuous monitoring is essential, said Rasgo.
“Report any pest infestations to local farmer technicians or local government unit technicians promptly,” he stressed.
The DA-6 provides pest control measures to farmers when pest infestations become uncontrollable. The Regional Crop Protection Center supplies farmers with necessary pesticides and technical assistance.
Soil Testing Encouraged
The DA-6 also advises conducting soil tests to determine the fertility status of farmers’ fields.
Knowing the soil’s condition helps farmers apply the right amount of fertilizer, ensuring proper growth of the rice plants, Rasgo explained.
“Many farmers do not perform soil analysis, leading to improper soil management,” Rasgo lamented. “Soil analysis is crucial to avoid over or under-fertilizing the crops.”
Farmers are encouraged to visit municipal agriculture offices to get soil samples collected and sent to the DA-6 laboratory for testing. The soil testing service is free.
James Earl Ogatis, information officer of DA-6, said local government units could request the regional office’s mobile soil laboratory to visit their areas for soil testing by sending a letter to DA-6 director Dennis R. Arpia.
“Bringing our services closer to the farmers is our goal,” Ogatis said.
Rasgo and Ogatis advised farmers to prepare their fields correctly, soak the seeds adequately, and conduct soil analysis to ensure a successful wet cropping season.
The DA-6 aims for all farmers in the region to complete planting within June, with minimal spillover into July.
The wet cropping or first cropping season is crucial for the DA’s goal of harvesting sufficient volumes to meet the region’s needs until the next year./PN
