500 hectares of onion farms destroyed
STA. BARBARA–Some 500 hectares of onion plantations in five towns were affected by the onslaught of armyworms, locally known as “harabas”.
“I hope this will not worsen further,” said Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya who admitted that armyworms exacted heavy tolls on traditional onion farms in Bautista, Bayambang, Umingan, Malasiqui and Alcala.
Moya said there are 14 onion producing towns in Pangasinan but only five were found to have been affected so far.
As a result of the onslaught, the towns of Bautista and Bayambang already declared a state of calamity to help their farmers.
Meanwhile, in response to the infestation, Gov. Amado Espino III approved the launching of a fertilizer-assistance program to the affected onion farmers.
Meanwhile, Moya set a meeting with the affected farmers and municipal agriculturists of the five affected towns on March 22 to discuss good agricultural practices to prevent future infestations.
Offhand, Moya has advised farmers not to plant onion next year but another crop to ensure that the infestation will not recur.
“If the farmers will plant onion again, the infestation will recur because the host is still there”, she said. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
