Armyworms attack Agno, Mabini rice fields
LINGAYEN– Rice fields in nine villages in the towns of Agno and Mabini in the western part of Pangasinan have been infested with armyworms.
According to assistant provincial agriculturist, Nestor Batalla, armyworms were discovered last Tuesday (August 11) in over 140 hectares of farms in five villages in Agno and four villages in Mabini.
The provincial agriculture office has also begun monitoring parts of Burgos, Bani, and Alaminos City for possible armyworm infestation.
According to the report from the Agno agriculture office, 129.41 hectares in Barangays San Juan, Cayungnan, Macacaboni, Bangan Oda, and Patar in Agno were attacked by armyworms, affecting 146 farmers
In Mabini, infested were around 20 hectares farmlands in Caranglaan, Caabiangan, Magalong, and Calzada and at least 80 cavans of seedbeds, affecting 100 farmers.
The provincial government immediately dispatched technical personnel to conduct monitoring and evaluation in the said areas and confirmed the report of armyworm infestation in newly transplanted or rice seedlings.
“We advised the farmers to spray (contact insecticide), otherwise, all seedlings will be destroyed,” said Batalla in an interview Thursday morning.
He disclosed farmers, following their advisory, have been spraying insecticides, and some areas now are controlled.
Gov. Amado Espino Jr., said the provincial government is ready to provide assistance to the farmers.
Armyworms, according to the Center for Integrated Pest Management of the North Carolina State University, armyworms which feed on leaves and occasionally stems at night and “can severely damage seedling stands.”
To avoid armyworms, farmers should clean their farms before planting and ensure there is constant irrigation and sufficient nitrogen fertilizer. (Johanne Macob)
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