Sugar industry stakeholders and the government are coordinating efforts to address the ongoing red-striped soft scale insect infestation affecting sugarcane farms, according to a report by Philstar Biz.
The pest, which attacks sugarcane stalks and leaves, threatens yields and sugar production in key growing regions. The infestation has prompted calls for a unified response to prevent further damage to the multi-billion-peso industry.
Stakeholders, including millers and planters, are pushing for enhanced monitoring, rapid reporting, and shared pest-control measures. The Department of Agriculture has been urged to provide technical support and facilitate quick distribution of approved pesticides.