GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Around P20 million worth of agricultural crops have been destroyed in some parts of the municipality of T’boli in South Cotabato due to the worsening locust infestation in the area.
Barry Lugan, T’boli municipal agriculture officer, said on Wednesday the continuing infestation has already affected around 700 hectares of palay and corn farmlands in four of its barangays since late last year.
He specifically cited the upland farming villages of Maan, Mongocayo, Salacafe and Tudok.
“The infestation was very damaging to our farmers, and most of the crops affected were in their vegetative and reproductive stages,” he said.
Lugan said the areas affected by the infestation have been expanding, with Barangay Tudok reporting an additional damaged area of around 100 hectares last Monday.
The official said they are currently conducting massive chemical spraying in the affected farms in coordination with barangay officials and other community stakeholders.
He said they are also educating farmers on biological control measures to help prevent the spread of locusts.
T’boli Mayor Dibu Tuan has ordered the release of additional funding for the purchase of chemicals and spraying equipment.
The South Cotabato Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (Opag) and the Department of Agriculture in Region 12 have also provided support to the local government.
“We’re currently doing massive interventions to destroy the locusts while they are in the early stages. They multiply rapidly and mature in just three days, so we really have to move fast,” he said.
In line with the chemical-spraying activities, Lugan said they have also launched massive information and education activities to warn residents from gathering and
consuming locusts.
He said the move is aimed at preventing possible poisoning among residents.
Cooked or fried locust is considered as a delicacy in some localities in the province.
“We have put up signages to warn the public that a farm area underwent chemical spraying and it is not safe to gather and eat locusts from that area,” he said.
Justina Navarrete, Opag chief, initially reported the onset of locust infestation in the province during the last quarter of 2016.