THE Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is currently monitoring a reported rat infestation in 39 hectares of rice farms, affecting 49 farmers, in Barangay Camangcamang, Isabela town.
Provincial Crop Coordinator Armando Abaño told Sun.Star Bacolod on Wednesday, February 17, that his office has alerted the pest surveillance officer of the Municipal Agriculture Office to conduct a validation and assessment of the reported rat infestation, and identify immediate pest management measures.
After the assessment, Abaño said the OPA would come up with an official report, particularly on the damage and production losses brought by the infestation through rat damage appraisal and yield loss assessment.
“A normal recurrence of pests is already projected due to change in climatic condition,” Abaño said, adding that the province has been bracing for pest infestation as after-effects of the persisting dry spell brought by El Niño phenomenon.
Aside from rats, insects and pests such as army worms, locusts, and rice black bugs also arise after a long dry spell.
Abaño said the OPA would hold a planning session today to discuss urgent measures and actions for immediate implementation as no pest infestations were reported from other local government units (LGUs).
He reiterated the OPA order among the city and municipal agriculture offices to activate their respective Bantay Peste Brigades.
“We are urging farmers to be proactive,” Abaño said, adding that OPA has been advising them to implement immediate pest management measures and strategies like physical rat trapping and other mechanical sanitation methods to counter the adverse effects of pest infestation to crops.
He added that the Provincial Government, through the OPA, is also closely coordinating with the local crop protection teams in LGUs in the conduct of a massive information drive.
Farmers in pest-affected farms enrolled under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program would receive indemnity claims, Abaño said.