Armyworms damage onion farms in 9 towns

By January 27, 2025Business

DA ASSURES SUPPLY STILL STABLE

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed the spread of onion-eating army worms, known locally as harabas, in nine towns in Pangasinan, but gave assurance that onion supply in the markets remains stable.

Vida Cacal, spokesperson for DA-Region 1, told an interview with Bombo Radyo Dagupan that significant crop damage was reported in the towns of Bayambang, Urbiztondo, Malasiqui, San Quintin, Umingan, San Manuel, Villasis, Bautista, and Alcala.

Initial reports triggered a rapid field validation by the DA’s technical teams. Upon inspection, it was found that the armyworm infestation affected approximately 75.78 hectares of farmland, impacting 88 onion farmers in the region.

While the damage is considerable, Cacal said the affected areas experienced only partial damage, and there is potential for recovery with prompt intervention.

“Region 1 is still over 100% self-sufficient in onion production, and there is no indication of any major disruption in supply,” she said.

Pangasinan is one of the country’s top onion producers, with 1,122 hectares dedicated to onion farming, which means the affected farms account for a small fraction of the province’s total output.

Financial losses caused by the infestation were estimated at over P4 million, with around 5.7 metric tons of onions destroyed.

The DA assists farmers with pest management guidance and the use of biocontrol agents even as the importance of farm sanitation and swift reporting to mitigate further damage is stressed.

“Farmers should immediately clean their fields after harvest to prevent the pests from re-infesting. Early detection and reporting are crucial for a swift response.”

In the meantime, the DA activated its Quick Response Fund to assist farmers in need of additional support.  (Eva Visperas)

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