• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The areas infested by the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) in Negros and Panay islands has increased to 2,332.51 hectares, as of July 2, according to data provided by the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
However, the majority of the RSSI-affected areas have recorded slight to moderate infestations, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona disclosed.
Acknowledging the slight increase in affected areas compared to the previous week, Azcona also noted the high awareness of RSSI by sugar farmers, who have started their own interventions.
He also raised the possibility that the figure could still be higher, as there are farmers who are not reporting the presence of RSSI in their farms.
The SRA reported that RSSI infestations may potentially reduce the sugar content of infested canes by almost 50 percent.
The presence of RSSI has been monitored in 20 local government units in Negros Occidental, one LGU in Negros Oriental, two in Iloilo, and four in Capiz province, affecting 1,326 farmers.
In a concerted effort to mitigate the spread of the RSSI in the highly affected Negros region, the SRA is slated to conduct a specialized training for local agriculturists, representatives from affected local government units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and other key stakeholders, on July 14 in Bacolod City.
The end-target result of the training is to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for early detection, prevention, and monitoring of RSSI infestations, thereby supporting efforts to control and ultimately eradicate the pest, SRA said.
Bacolod City has been selected as the first location for the training, due to the confirmed presence of RSSI across twenty LGUs in Negros Occidental, as well as one) LGU in Negros Oriental.
To be led by the SRA’s Research, Development, and Extension Department (RDE), the initiative is part of the agency’s immediate response to the RSSI infestation in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Negros Island Region, The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Negros Occidental, the Bureau of Plant and Industry, the Department of Agrarian Reform, The Food and Pesticide Authority and the Mill District Development Councils.*
