By Ime Sornito

ILOILO City – A surge in pest and disease infestation is threatening rice farms across Western Visayas, prompting the Department of Agriculture – Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) to raise a region-wide alert and urge farmers to intensify surveillance and adopt stricter integrated pest management (IPM) measures.

The warning follows the Regional Rice Pests and Disease Monthly Bulletin for October 2025, which confirmed a spike in cases of brown spot, sheath blight, stem borer, and rice bug across multiple provinces, including Negros Occidental.

“Farmers are advised to keep close watch on their fields and apply integrated pest management (IPM) practices to protect their crops. Proper field sanitation, balanced fertilization, and community coordination remain the best ways to reduce pest outbreaks and yield losses,” the DA-RCPC advisory read.

Ripening Crops Most at Risk

The DA said the trend is particularly concerning as many rice fields are entering the most vulnerable stages of ripening and maturity.
Monitoring under the Pest Risk Identification and Management (PRIME) program covered 201 fields, of which 45 were already ripening or maturing, making them more susceptible to pest and disease damage.

A total of 119 fields currently have no standing crop, but 26 are in the vegetative stage while 11 are in the reproductive phase — all requiring close monitoring as weather fluctuations and moisture conditions heighten pest activity.

Brown Spot Emerges as Leading Disease

Brown spot — affecting about 5 percent of monitored areas — remains the most widespread disease observed last month.
It commonly appears when fields are too wet or nitrogen-deficient.

Sheath blight and leaf blight followed with 2–3 percent infection, particularly in areas experiencing continuous rains or where rice stands are densely planted.

Stem Borer, Rice Bug Cases Rising

The notorious stem borer continues to cause whiteheads and deadhearts, with damage reaching 2.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the rice bug, which feeds on developing grains, was detected in several farms with 1.5 percent injury rate.

Weeds covered around 7 percent of monitored areas — above the safe threshold — while rat damage remained low at 0.18 percent but still requires vigilance.

DA Lists Urgent Measures for Farmers

To curb further spread, DA-RCPC advised farmers to strengthen field management and avoid practices that worsen pest conditions.

For disease control:

• Use balanced fertilizer (avoid excessive nitrogen).
• Improve field drainage.
• Remove infected plant residues after harvest.
• Apply fungicides only when necessary.

For pest control:

• Implement community synchronous planting.
• Avoid over-fertilization.
• Encourage natural predators like spiders and Trichogramma wasps.
• Use field monitoring tools such as sweep nets and light traps.

For weed and rat management:

• Conduct early and regular weeding.
• Clean irrigation canals and bunds.
• Apply herbicides only when needed and as instructed.

DA-RCPC urged farmers needing technical support to visit the Regional Crop Protection Center at DA-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City./PN

Published Date: November 17, 2025