By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The fall armyworm infestation has caused P10,832,037.15 worth of damage to corn crops in Negros Occidental, based on data released by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) as of July 1.
A total of 1,117 farmers, covering 753.38 hectares of corn crops in 38 villages across the province, have been affected by the infestation since June 1.
Himamaylan City reported the highest losses at P3,108,609, affecting 295 farmers and covering 177.36 hectares in 10 barangays: III-Poblacion, 3, Buenavista, Carabalan, Caradio-an, Libacao, Mahalang, Mambagaton, San Antonio, and Talaban.
Moises Padilla town followed with P2,479,875 in damages to the corn crops of 201 farmers in four barangays. The infestation affected 166.25 hectares in Barangays Crossing Magallon, Inolingan, Macagahay, and Quintin Remo.
La Castellana reported a P1,668,352.50 loss in seven barangays, affecting 174 farmers and 70.91 hectares in Barangays Biak na Bato, Cabacungan, Cabagnaan, Manghanoy, Puso, Robles, and Sag-ang.
An estimated P1,639,089 worth of crop damage, covering 182.12 hectares, was also reported in seven villages in Isabela town. The infestation affected 262 farmers from Barangays 9, Camang-Camang, Cansalongon, Makilignit, Mansablay, San Agustin, and Sebucawan.
Murcia town was also affected by the infestation, with P1,496,626.65 worth of damage. A total of 140 farmers covering 121.54 hectares were affected in Barangays Amayco, Canlandog, Buenavista, Minoyan, San Miguel, Pandanon, and Caliban.
Hinoba-an town reported the lowest crop damage at P439,485, affecting 45 farmers in three villages. The infestation affected 35.20 hectares in Barangays Bacuyangan, Culipapa, and Sangke.
A team of experts from the National Crop Protection Center of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (NCPC-UPLB) is set to submit their official report and recommendations to the OPA regarding the infestation of armyworms in corn and sugarcane plantations in central Negros.
