The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) has reported a significant decline in the number of areas affected by pests and diseases in Western Visayas last year compared with the infestation in 2011.

Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) entomologist Rene B. Famoso disclosed that from 9,179 hectares affected by defoliators in 2011, the number dropped to 3,510 hectares last year.

Stemborer infestation from 7,846 hectares in 2011 declined to 2,003; brown plant hopper (BPH) from 1,354 to 306 hectares; green leaf hopper (GLH) from 299 to 176 hectares and rice bug (RB) from 5,946 hectares 1,189 hectares.

Rice diseases such as rice tungro virus (RTV) has affected 23 hectares; rice blast, 65 hectares; bacterial leaf blight, 149 hectares and sheath blight, with 13 hectares. These are lower compared with the infestation recorded in 2011.

Meanwhile, rodents which affected 30,748 hectares in 2011 only infected 24,679 hectares last year. The incidence that was prevalent during the dry season cropping in Iloilo and Capiz decreased due to sustained baiting, mass physical killing and sanitation activities by local government units and distribution of rodenticides by DA-RFU 6.

Famoso, however, said that rice black bug (RBB) infestation increased from 22 hectares in 2011 to 100 hectares last year due to the increase in the number of municipalities affected. New incidence of RBB was monitored in five towns of Iloilo province.

He added that favorable weather conditions and heavy usage of chemicals which considerably killed friendly insects contributed to the increased population of rice black bug.

Famoso encouraged farmers, agricultural extension workers and members of "Bantay Peste Brigade" to regularly monitor pest incidence in their respective localities to eradicate/minimize cases this year.*PNA