Farmers in Barangay Villa Joson, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, were forced to harvest their onion early because these were attacked by army worms.

They usually harvest around March.

"Uubusin na nga ng uod [yung mga pananim], kaya inani na para mayroon namang [kami] makukuha. Pinasok ng uod itong mga dahon, sira na," Celsio Ignacio, an onion farmer, said.

The City Agriculture Office is assessing the extent of damage caused by army worms, as of this writing.

"Ang harabas, nandiyan naman ‘yan, hindi nawawala but then hindi ganoon kagrabe sa inaasahan natin. Nag-early harvest na ang iba para hindi na masyadong maapektuhan," Francisco Dantes, San Jose City Agriculturist, said.

The City Agriculture Office has also distributed pesticides to farmers in response to the pest infestation.

The onion farmers are facing challenges not only from pest infestation but also with the low prices offered by traders.

They claim that traders are bargaining for lower prices, affecting their income.

The farmers hope they can sell their onion at a better price to recover from the losses caused by the early harvest.

"Ewan ko kung saan kukuha ng dagdag bayad kasi nasira ang tanim, inuod," Gloria Ladia, another onion farmer, said.

In January 2024, crops in approximately 6.90 hectares in Barangay Cruz and Pesa were wiped out by army worms, while crops in 34.30 hectares in Barangay Pesa, Cruz, San Roque, Antipolo, Macabaclay, Tugatog, and Kaingin were damaged partially, according to the Municipal Agriculture Office.