Drones battle sugarcane pest outbreak across Negros, Panay

BACOLOD CITY—The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has begun drone and manual spraying of insecticides in sugarcane fields in Isabela, Negros Occidental, to contain the spread of the highly destructive red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI).

Sugar Board Member David Andrew Lizares Sanson said on Sunday that spraying operations started last week in several barangays in Isabela and will be expanded to other affected areas across Negros.

“The whole of Negros is affected, so the spraying will continue in other areas,” Sanson said.

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READ: Planters call on DA, SRA to address pest infestation in sugar farms

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He added that fungal treatments against RSSI were also launched last month as part of integrated pest management efforts.

Sanson said the agency is still awaiting updated data on the total area infested and those already treated.

An SRA report dated June 4 showed RSSI infestation covering 1,788.93 hectares of sugarcane across Negros and Panay, affecting 869 farmers in 172 barangays.

Negros Occidental recorded the largest affected area at 1,586.90 hectares, followed by Negros Oriental with 134.20 hectares, Iloilo with 45.80 hectares, and Capiz with 22.03 hectares.

RSSI is a sap-sucking pest that damages sugarcane by feeding on plant fluids, causing leaves to yellow, wilt, and dry up. It also secretes honeydew that encourages sooty mold growth, which blocks sunlight and disrupts photosynthesis, ultimately reducing cane yield and sugar content./coa

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