THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has formed a task force to control red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation which can reduce sugar content by nearly 50 percent.
The SRA also requested quarantine measures from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the infestation.
SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson will head the task force who will manage the infestation and request quarantine measures from the DA.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said six areas in Northern Negros Occidental are under close monitoring after sugar farms in these areas reported RSSI infestation.
"Sugar farmers have to be more vigilant where they purchase their cane points as the infestation is suspected to have been brought to Negros from Luzon where an RSSI infestation has happened before and are still present in some farms," Azcona said.
Sanson urged farmers to stop transporting planting materials from Luzon and other infected areas. He said the disease appears to have spread through infected cane points.
After receiving field reports from northern Negros, Sanson said the SRA sought help from the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños which facilitated research and identified at least five insecticides that may help limit the infestation.
Randolph Candano of the NCPC explained that protocol requires a second trial in a different location. This further tests the insecticides' efficacy before an emergency-use permit can be sought from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) as these insecticides are not yet registered for sugarcane.
Candano said their study showed that Buprofezin, Dinotefuran, Phenthoate, Pymetrozine, and Thiamethoxam have potential in curbing the spread. However, these findings are not conclusive until a second field trial is complete.
"Based on our assessment, the pest can spread to contiguous farms, and treating cane points with insecticides, especially if they are just piling on the fields, as RSSI has been found to thrive under the heat, can help reduce their numbers," Candano added.
Candano also recommended the SRA inform the FPA about the ongoing trials. While the SRA could seek an emergency-use permit, the standard process involves insecticide manufacturers conducting their own trials and applying for the permit from the FPA.
Azcona said they will propose conducting the second trial in Negros. In the meantime, they will push for the quarantine of cane materials from infected areas.
He added that the agriculture sector previously contained the spread of cocolisap through effective DA measures, such as restricting the movement of agricultural products out of Calabarzon during the active infestation.
“We cannot afford to have an infestation, as some farmers are already starting to plant their canes for the next crop year," Azcona said.
Azcona noted the industry performed well this year despite the prolonged drought.
"I hope we can maintain the momentum and even exceed our targets for next year if we will all help one another in containing this infestation,” Azcona said.
He stated that RSSI not only reduces yield but also increases production costs and threatens the sugar industry's stability.
Sanson said the task force will establish an Operations and Monitoring Center. This center will document and report all RSSI-related issues nationwide. It will also facilitate coordination among SRA units and partner agencies involved in managing the infestation.
“Supporting the task force is not optional as it is essential in ensuring the future of the sugarcane industry,” Sanson said. (MAP)