Pests attack 27 rice villages in Ilocos Sur

By Freddie G. Lazaro

STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur — Farmers here expressed fear here harvest time will prove to be a lean season for them as rice plantations in 27 barangays of this town have been attacked by pests.

Municipal Agriculturist Mamerto Tacbas said farmers have been complaining of pests in the town’s rice paddies that have been destroying rice plants in their fruiting stage.

Tacbas said investigation showed that the pests are green hoppers, white hoppers, and brown hoppers.

“These pests will suck the content of the rice grain until it becomes reddish,” Tacbas said.

He said the municipal government is now finding ways of eliminating these pests in the ricefields.

“Our office is presently assessing the areas affected by the pests,” he assured.