BY ONIN MIGUEL DEVELOS / ADDU INTERN
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) XI is adopting all measures to prevent pest diseases from attacking the crops in the region
During the 37th Agribiz Media Forum in SM Lanang on July 9, agriculturist Meryl Palma said they conduct regular monitoring and surveillance, in coordination with the local government units, on high-value crops like coffee, cacao, corn, rice, coconut, banana, sugarcane, and mango.
“Sila atong priority commodities sa region,” she said. “Any report or incidence, gina forward nato na sa regional crop protection center for their verification, control, and management,” Palma said.
When asked about pests that the El Niño season brings, Palma said mentioned the fall armyworm, which typically attacks corn fields. However, the DA XI already created a task force under the Pest Risk Identification and Management (PRIME) project.
PRIME is a monthly crop assessment to monitor and stop farm incidents.
“Naa tay targeted na areas sa region. We have 195 monitoring fields so if ever unsa ang incidents ang atong ma record so direct na nato siya ma address kasi si farmer and LGU are trained in terms of control and management for the plants,” Palma said.
During the monitoring of crops, pesticides are distributed to farmers to help combat pests.
“We have funding for the pesticides so gina forward na nato sa atong LGU and during monitoring and surveilance na gina conduct nato. Pasalamaton pud ta sa atong mga banner programs from the rice and corn kay gina pangayo pud mi didto ug pesticides kay kami sa regulatory division wala mi pesticide. During monitoring, gina dala na namo siya para ma direkta na nato sa atong mga farmers,” Palma stated.
File Photo: Bing Gonzales
