KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato —The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg)-South Cotabato, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) XII, continues to strengthen its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program by providing immediate assistance to farmers affected by rodent infestation in Barangay Albagan, Tampakan.
Provincial Agriculturist I, IPM/DRRM Focal person, Elias Diamante said, “the coordinated effort demonstrates the provincial government’s continuing commitment to protecting farmers’ livelihoods through timely pest management, technical assistance, and agricultural support services.”
Diamante said that based on the initial validation, at least 10 hectares of vegetables areas and a hectare of corn were affected in Tampakan.
“During the validation, there are 10 farmers affected and we are still expecting more after other towns would provide us their report,” Diamante said.
Reports revealed that there is also rodent infestation in the towns of Sto. Nino and Norala.
As part of the immediate response, DA-RCPC XII distributed rodenticides to help control the rodent population and prevent further crop damage.
Meanwhile, OPAg provided vegetable seeds to affected farmers to serve as an alternative source of food and additional livelihood while they recover from the losses caused by the infestation.
The joint initiative of OPAg-South Cotabato, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Tampakan, and DA-RCPC XII underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding agricultural production, strengthening food security, and ensuring that farmers receive the necessary assistance to recover from pest-related losses.
