July 19, 2024

 

Fall armyworm infestation threatens corn fields in Negros Oriental, Philippines

Agriculture technicians are working urgently to combat a potential heavy fall armyworm infestation that poses a serious threat to corn fields in Negros Oriental, Philippines, an official announced, Philippine News Agency reported.

 

Emmanuel Caduyac, Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) chief, informed the Philippine News Agency that as of July 16, 2024, approximately 1,683 hectares of corn fields have already been damaged by fall armyworms across at least eight municipalities.

 

The affected municipalities include Manjuyod, Bindoy, La Libertad, Vallehermoso, Tayasan, Ayungon, Jimalalud, and San Jose.

 

According to Caduyac, Vallehermoso experienced the most severe damage, with a total infestation destroying 168 hectares of corn. Other towns have reported at least 50% damage to their corn fields.

 

Fall armyworms typically attack crops like corn, especially following a long, dry spell, followed by heavy rains, Caduyac explained. The current infestation was reported around two to three weeks ago, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season.

 

When the worms transform into moths, they migrate to nearby fields, attacking corn and other crops.

 

"We are now doing our best to prevent a massive infestation considering that farmers are still reeling from the negative effects of the recent El Niño-triggered drought," said Caduyac.

 

Local government units (LGUs) are now spraying chemicals in the affected corn fields to prevent nearby farms from being infested at an early stage.

 

Caduyac noted, however, that there is little chance of recovery once the pests have invaded a large portion of a farm, as fall armyworms hide in corn stalks and are difficult to remove manually.

 

A PAO team is currently deployed in the northern towns to assess the extent of the damage, while Caduyac is awaiting reports from other towns and cities in the central and southern parts of the province.

 

Caduyac mentioned that if interventions cannot halt the destruction of corn fields, farmers are covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

 

He added that it is still too early to decide or determine what other interventions or assistance the local and/or provincial governments can provide to affected farmers until the PAO can obtain a comprehensive picture of the infestation.

 

-      Philippine News Agency