KALIBO, Aklan -- A sweet corn planter in this town warned the public against the presence of fall armyworms, which could damage agricultural products in the province.

Nestor Cesar, a corn planter in Barangay Mobo, Kalibo, said personnel from the Bureau of Plants and Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas already visited his farm and confirmed the presence of the fall armyworms.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is "an insect pest that can feed on more than 80 crop species and may cause significant yield reduction on major cultivated cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum, and also to legumes, vegetable crops and cotton, if not managed."

"I believe the Typhoon Ursula in December has brought the presence of fall armyworm in my farm. The BPI has already provided me with some sprays. If left unchecked, this could propagate to vegetables and even palays," he said.

Cesar is currently managing his seven hectares of sweet corn in Kalibo.

Cesar said they will study how to effectively eradicate the presence of fall armyworm in the area. (SunStar Philippines)