Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. has ordered the release of P100,000 for the purchase of pesticides to fight the attack of brown plant hopper and green leaf hopper (known in Hiligaynon as “waya-waya”) on rice lands in the province.
Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo reported that some 2,200 hectares have been affected by the pests as of September 16, 2010. The towns affected are Lemery, Barotac Viejo, Passi City, Tubungan, San Rafael and Lambunao.
Toledo said the damaged rice lands reach 592.15 hectares. The affected crops are under vegetative, reproductive, and ripening stages.
Defensor told Toledo to procure the needed pesticides under emergency procedure in order to immediately control the spread of the infestation.
Meanwhile, Toledo recommended to the farmers that treatment must begin as soon as early plant symptoms or a build up of hoppers are noticed.
He added, any treatment or spraying of insecticides should be done on the lower portion of the plant because spraying over the top of the plant generally is ineffective.
Toledo attributed the onslaught of the plant hopper to the erratic weather condition. “It is not true that the occurrence of plant hoppers is because of rice variety,” he said.
Toledo also suggested to farmers to increase water depth on their farms to avoid sucking and reproduction of insects.
Farmers are also urged to lessen or split the application of Nitrogen fertilization, said Toledo. (ECG/ Capitol News)
BALITA HALIN SA KAPITOLYO 