Pest outbreak threatens thousands of sugarcane farmers in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — A widespread infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) is devastating sugarcane production in Passi City, with agricultural officials confirming that the pest has affected more than 3,300 hectares of farmland across the region.

The outbreak poses a significant threat to the agricultural sector, potentially impacting the livelihoods of more than 8,000 farmers and workers who depend on sugarcane cultivation for their income. The Passi City Agriculture Office initially documented the infestation last month, prompting concerns among stakeholders in the local farming community.

RSSI, a soft-bodied insect pest, feeds on plant sap and can cause substantial damage to sugarcane crops if left unchecked. The scale of the current outbreak underscores the vulnerability of the region's sugar industry to pest pressures and highlights the need for coordinated pest management efforts.

Local agricultural authorities have begun assessing the extent of crop damage and are expected to roll out intervention measures to contain the infestation and mitigate losses for affected farmers. The situation remains under close monitoring as stakeholders work to prevent further spread of the pest to uninfected areas.