Manila: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has reassured industry stakeholders that the government is making every effort to control the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in sugarcane farms across Negros Occidental, aiming to prevent the pest infestation from affecting the country’s sugar production, reports Philstar Global.
According to SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, a total of 186 hectares of sugarcane farms in the province have been affected by the pest so far, as per the news report by Philstar Global.
A recent SRA report shows the extent of the damage: 12 hectares are severely affected, 50.9 hectares have mild infestations, 96.21 hectares are slightly affected, and five hectares are now showing signs of recovery.
Among the hardest-hit areas are Bago City, with nearly 60 hectares affected, followed by Murcia with 43.62 hectares and Victorias City with 27.05 hectares.
“The affected area is still a small portion of the total sugarcane land, but we want to make sure it doesn’t spread,” Azcona said. “We are continuing efforts to contain it, especially by finding the fastest and most effective method for spraying pesticides.”
Azcona pointed out that one of the main challenges is the movement of trucks and farm workers across the island while the harvest season is ongoing. “Once the harvest is over, it will be much easier to contain,” he added.
The SRA also cited a study by the University of the Philippines, which found that the RSSI can reduce the sugar content of sugarcane by nearly 50 percent, posing a serious risk to the industry if not quickly controlled.
