THE Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) reminded rice farmers to brace for possible pest infestation during rainy season to still achieve higher yield.
DA Regional Director Joyce Wendam on Monday, July 10, said wet season is best suited for rice production as water supply is sufficient.
Wendam, however, said possible occurrence of pest infestation during this period is also high thus, integrated pest management practices should be implemented by rice farmers.
Among the pests and diseases commonly infesting rice farms during rainy season include leaf blight, rice blast, and armyworms.
“Pest infestation is a major threat that we should prepare for. Farmers are advised to follow appropriate farming technologies like pesticide application,” Wendam said, adding that with proper interventions, they remain optimistic to surpass this year’s yield target.
DA-NIR records showed that for Negros Occidental alone, a total of 22,720 hectares were already planted since the start of the first cropping season from May to June this year.
The figure comprised 35 percent of the 64,691-hectare total rice areas targeted to be fully planted this month.
In terms of yield, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that the province posted 4.8 metric tons per hectare in the previous cropping season.
It is much higher than the target yield of only 3.99 metric tons per hectare for Negros Occidental, Wendam said.
She said that to still achieve or even surpass the target yield, the DA-NIR also continues to implement various measures, including seeds and fertilizer distribution, and provision of technical support.
“While the agency is doing its part in providing assistance to the farmers, they should also initiate necessary measures on their level mainly the implementation of appropriate pest and disease management,” Wendam added.
