MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA

Rats ravage Cagayan Valley farms, plants

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Rats have ravaged thousands of hectares of farmlands in this province and elsewhere in Cagayan Valley.

Authorities said the rat infestation has affected more than 4,000 hectares planted to palay, corn and banana, mostly in Quirino.

Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio ordered agriculture officials to prevent the spread of rat infestation, reported in Sanchez Mira, Gonzaga and Piat towns.

Cagayan Valley supplies about 30 percent of the country’s rice and corn needs. Quirino is the region’s top banana producer. – CL