Task Force ‘Waya-waya’ formed
ROXAS CITY – The provincial government of Capiz has formed the Task Force “Waya-waya” or planthopper to initiate mitigating measures to prevent and control the rice pest.
The Task Force is chaired by Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., with Provincial Agriculturist Sylvia de la Cruz as vice chair.
The mitigating measures include preparation and distribution of pest situation advisory for the municipal local government units and other stakeholders;
conduct of agricultural stakeholders awareness forum on brown plant hopper infestation; and provision of assistance/pesticides to affected municipalities.
In Capiz, a total of 46,898.66 hectares are planted to rice, of which 16,087.75 hectares are in first district and the 30,810.91 hectares, in second district.
Of the total area, 8,466 hectares have been affected by brown planthoppers or 18 percent of the rice plantations in Capiz.
A total of 3,919.13 hectares have been destroyed, representing eight percent of the total area planted to rice in the province.
A Provincial Agriculture Office representative said the causes of the plant hoppers infestation were the long dry spell and the rainy season which started in July.
However, despite the pest attack, the Capiz province will still have enough supply of rice.
Capiz province cannot declare a pest outbreak with only the 18 percent of its ricefields affected. However, the province can do it if the destruction reaches 20 percent and up.*
