IPM-DA warns Mis. Occ. farmers of newly discovered pests

By Pat Nano

Friday 29th of June 2012

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, June 29 (PIA) -- The Integrated Pest Management of the Department of Agriculture (IPM-DA) said it has discovered new pests here that could bring harm to farmlands in the province.

One of these pests is called the Rice Green Bulk, which is more dangerous than the Black Bug, according to Dr. Jesus Binamira, National IPM Program Officer.

Binamira said they have no idea, yet, where the pests come from or what produces them, but that it has already infected some areas in the provinces of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly the Agusan provinces.

Aside from the Rice Green Bulk, DA is now looking for ways how to get rid of the pests that has infected some of the fruit trees, especially lanzones.

The lastest IPM report revealed that hectares of lanzones' plantations of Negros, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Zambonga provinces have been affected, Binamira said.

The IPM is continuing investigation on the pests and how to protect the lanzones trees from being infested by the pests, he added. (PIO/PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)