Philippines : Sugar industry seen to incur P350M losses
Nearly 3,000 hectares of sugar cane farms in Negros and Panay Islands have been hit by red-striped soft scale insect infestation, causing an estimated P350 million in losses, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration. With sugar content cut by 50 percent, the agency seeks emergency pesticide purchases and explores eco-friendly fungal alternatives to control the outbreak.
BACOLOD CITY — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) predicts P350 million revenue losses in sugar production as almost 3,000 hectares of sugar cane farms in Negros and Panay Islands have been damaged by a red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation.
The SRA said the RSSI cuts sugar content by almost 50 percent.
The SRA estimates the 3,000 hectares of sugar farms could translate to P700 million in average revenue, but because of the RSSI infestation, it could be reduced by half.
SRA board member David Sanson on Friday said the estimate is based on experience.
The agency reported only 237.66 hectares have shown signs of recovery.
The SRA has requested the provincial government and affected local government units to declare state of emergency for them to initiate emergency purchase of pesticides to address RSSI infestations.
Earlier, Gov. Eugenio Lacson said the damage caused by the RSSI infestation is not enough to qualify for the declaration of a state of emergency, as other local governments are also reluctant to do so.
Sanson met with Lacson to explore other options for the issuance of an executive order, possibly to look into the financial aspect of sugar production loses as a result of RSSI infestation.
Lacson said he will seek an opinion from the Provincial Legal Office on how to go about it.
Both the Department of Agriculture and SRA allocated P15 million for the purchase of pesticides against RSSI.
The SRA is also looking at biological alternatives to prevent the spread of RSSI as part of its long-term interventions.
The agency is now working on the mass production of the entomo-pathogenic fungi discovered in Capiz to help eliminate RSSI. If successful, the fungi could be mass-produced as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
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Source : The Manila Times
