THE staff of the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Luzon conducted the validation in Sitio Maligaya, Barangay Townsite in Mariveles town in Bataan on Wednesday, November 24.
This came after the office received a report of the attack of Rice Black Bugs (RBB) on rice crops in the area. It has been three years ago since the insect attacked rice crops in their town, and now they have been spotted again, according to local farmers.
"I hope the DA will help us in eradicating RBB through an effective insecticide because the one we are using right now is not very effective," said Manolito Villena, one of the farmers affected by the RBB attack.
After validation, the RCPC staff trained some of the farmers in Barangay Townsite on the proper use and application of anisopliane to their crops. They also distributed Metarhizium to farmers who wanted to use it to eradicate RBBs.
Farmers were also given information on some of the methods to avoid RBB problem such as conducting synchronous planting.