• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The number of local government units (LGUs) affected by the fall armyworm (FAW) infestation in Negros Occidental has increased to 22, with the affected areas now at 3,427 hectares, as of August 19.
However, the estimated damage is still being consolidated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), as of this time. But its reports indicate that the livelihood of 5,360 farmers has been affected by the FAW infestation, in 120 barangays of 22 affected LGUs.
In a report submitted to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said the local government units of Moises Padilla, Isabela, Sagay City, Hinobaan, Calatrava, and Sipalay City reported 36 percent recovery, or 442.07 hectares of their total damaged area.
Genzola also said that the municipality of Candoni reported a reduction in the population buildup of fall armyworms.
Brown planthoppers also damaged almost 300 hectares of rice fields in 17 barangays of Valladolid and San Enrique towns, affecting 248 farmers, while rice blast and bacterial leaf streak also damaged 34 hectares of rice fields in Kabankalan City, OPA reports further indicated.
On the other hand, rodents hit 273.61 hectares of rice fields in Valladolid town.
Genzola said they already installed two supervised light traps and conducted spraying in heavily infested areas, and also recommended light trapping activities in validated affected areas to farmers associations against brown planthopper and rice black bugs.*