Negros Occidental Ramps Up Aid for Corn Farmers as Armyworm Damage Escalates to PHP50 Million

Negros Occidental-The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is intensifying its efforts to support corn farmers as the province faces significant agricultural damage due to an ongoing armyworm infestation. As of August 12, the damage to corn plantations has soared to approximately PHP50.238 million, affecting a wide expanse of farmland across 18 local government units.

According to Philippines News agency, the officer-in-charge of the OPA, the infestation has impacted 3,377.61 hectares cultivated by 5,256 farmers in 120 villages since its first report in June. In response, the OPA has implemented several measures, including the procurement of neem oil-based insecticides and the coordination of orientation and supervised spraying sessions to mitigate the spread of the armyworms. The department has also facilitated the distribution of phentoate-based and nembicidine insecticides provided by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Crop Protection Center and the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The OPA is actively monitoring the situation, with fall armyworm lures and traps being deployed across roughly 650 hectares of affected areas. In addition, spraying activities are ongoing in several towns, including Murcia, Isabela, Binalbagan, La Castellana, and Himamaylan City, in collaboration with various government and private entities. Local Bantay Peste Brigades have been mobilized to assist in pest control efforts, and a proposal to procure an additional PHP3 million worth of insecticides is currently under review.

The highest recorded damages were in San Carlos City and Calatrava town, with losses amounting to PHP9.465 million and PHP9.172 million, respectively. Other significantly impacted areas include Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and Himamaylan City, among others.