BACOLOD City – The current Fall Armyworm infestation in Negros Occidental is not alarming, according to Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino.
The infestation could be controlled and contained, stressed Masculino, through the application of insecticides.
Last week, five areas reported the presence of Fall Armyworms in their farming areas – La Carlota City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Himamaylan City, and San Carlos City – attacking rice, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and some vegetables.
Around three hectares of corn crops in Escalante City have been affected, too.
Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order creating a coordinating task force to address the infestation.
There is a “critical need” to ensure preparedness and strengthen pest surveillance and management activities, he stressed.
According to a memorandum from the Bureau of Plant Industry, the destructive Fall Armyworm has a high reproductive rate and is difficult to control as they have a natural tolerance for some insecticides./PN
