THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying support for onion farmers in Central Luzon, specifically Nueva Ecija and Tarlac provinces who were seriously affected by armyworm infestation.
Citing data from the DA Regional Field Office III, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said about 366 hectares out of the 10,217 hectares of lands planted to onions have been infested by armyworms.
Army worms, is a throng of caterpillar-like larvae that would eventually become moths.
Of the infested areas, crops in 6.9 hectares were reported to be totally damaged while 359.1 hectares sustained partial damages, Panganiban said.
Field reports revealed that the infestation was concentrated in the towns of Bongabon and Talevera, and Palayan City in Nueva Ecija; and the municipalities of Anao and San Manuel in Tarlac.
No cases were reported in Bataan, Pampanga, or Zambales provinces.
Red onions dominate the affected areas, accounting for 87 percent of planted crops, the balance is comprised of white onions and shallots.
Armyworms devour most vegetation in their path, resembling an army marching through fields. Neem oil-based sprays and natural predators like earwigs, spiders, and wasps are effective control methods.
Since December, the DA through the High Value Crops Development Program, provided 2.07 metric tons (MT) of onion seeds worth P30.4 million to Central Luzon farms while the BPI and the Regional Crop Protection Center provided pheromone lures, which are neem oil-based insecticides.
Panganiban said the DA was willing to provide an additional 1.3 tons of onion seeds worth P20.3 million and four cold storage units for onions worth P168 million. Local government units are also contributing by purchasing organic insecticides and pheromone lures.
The DA’s swift action and collaborative effort with local authorities aim to contain the armyworm infestation and minimize its impact on onion farmers’ livelihoods.