Cotabato farmers fear huge decline in rice harvest due to pest attack

Several farmers in Mlang town in North Cotabato fear a huge decline in their rice harvest after plant pests attacked their farms, the town's agriculture office reported Saturday.

Municipal agriculturist Noemi Nicholas told local reporters that at least 50 farmers complained of severe damage to their rice fields due to stem borer infestation.

She added that at least 200 hectares of rice fields have no more chance of recovery.

Stem borer is a destructive pest that feasts on the roots of newly planted palay.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Paeng Porras, former chairman of Barangay Inas, suspected some farmers did not follow the correct farming calendar.

"Perhaps they did not heed our agriculture office's appeal of practicing synchronized planting," he added.

For his part, Councilor Gerardo Pinol, Sannguniang Bayan committee chair on agriculture, said assistance will be given to the affected farmers, provided they promise to follow the correct farming procedure.

Pinol also encouraged farmers to choose a rice variety that is not susceptible to insect attacks.

"Synchronized planting is still the best practice. With this, we will be able to minimize pest attack in our rice fields," he added. — Williamor Magbanua with Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News