Sugarcane pest infestation recedes in Luzon

THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said 233.42 hectares (ha) planted to sugarcane on Luzon were infested by the red-striped soft scale insect this year, down 85.2% from a year earlier.

The infestation was detected on 151 ha of Batangas farmland, followed by Tarlac (60.42 ha), Camarines Sur (13 ha), and Isabela (9 ha).

SRA officials met with sugar farmers and millers from Luzon in Tagaytay last week. They said the infestation was mainly “controlled and contained.”

Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers Association President Cornelio V. Toreja said infestation rates are low because of pest-control support.

“Since last year, SRA has supported our Mill District Development Councils (MDCC) by providing farmers equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, and prevention and control campaign without let-up,” Mr. Toreja was quoted as saying in an SRA statement.

“We have three to four months of monitoring and ensuring that our affected areas remain low before harvest season. We need the SRA’s help and all our farmers’ cooperation to make sure it stays controlled and contained,” he added. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza