9 Isabela towns infested with rats; fields ravaged

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Farmlands in at least nine towns in Isabela have been overrun by rats.

Reports showed at least 3,000 hectares of rice and corn lands were infested.

The municipalities of Mallig and Ramon and Cauayan City were the worst hit areas.

DaniloTumamao, provincial agriculture officer, however, assured the public that although the number of affected towns increased, the degree of infestation and the damage incurred were manageable.

“Compared to the earlier damage, the rice fields were only slightly damaged, with only two out of 100 plants affected.

Aside from this, the palay plants have not yet reached the reproductive stage where crop losses could be severe,” he said.

Tumamao said they are helping farmers rid their farmlands of rats and prevent the infestation from spreading to nearby towns.

Meanwhile, Director Robert Olinares, Cagayan Valley Regional Technical Director for Operations of the Department of Agriculture, said the rice and corn farms in Cauayan City, Isabela; Mallig advised farmers to conduct synchronized implementation on strategies to control or eliminate the rats from farmlands.

He said that the rat infestation may cause the sudden decline in production of rice and corn from Region 2 if it will not be contained immediately.

He said the DA and concerned local government units are now doing their best effort to help farmers eradicate rats in the affected towns.