San Manuel onion farms infested by armyworms
ONION farms in two barangays in San Manuel town, covering an area of 49 hectares, are among the worst hit by armyworm infestation, according to the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 1.
Latest data released by the DA’s Army worm Surveillance Team show Barangays Santo Domingo and Lapalo were affected by the pest locally known as harabas.
The team’s initial field validation a week earlier indicated about 75.78 hectares of onion farms were affected in the towns of Bayambang, Urbiztondo, Malasiqui, San Quintin, Umingan, San Manuel, Villasis, Bautista, and Alcala.
Farmers have been advised to conduct massive pesticide spraying in their plantations to control the infestation.
The DA has so far distributed 72 liters of insecticide that can cover 18 hectares in the two barangays.
“Massive spraying is recommended because it is considered to be more effective in preventing the worms from hiding and spreading as opposed to individual spraying,” said Maryjoyce Aglibao, agriculturist II from the Regulatory Division of DA-RFO1, adding that mass spraying method is set to be used in the other affected areas.
She pointed out that the optimal period to conduct mass spraying is at noon time when worms are active. (Kim Gealogo)
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