DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 1 (PIA) -- A total of 26 rice farmer cooperators in the province received free organic fertilizers and pesticides through the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Pest Risk Identification and Management or PRIME project.

DA Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Sarah Perocho said four galloons of insecticides, foliar fertilizer, and fungicides were given to rice farmers to help increase their rice yields.

PRIME Data Collector Harvey Neil Revelegia shared that pest issues and outbreaks are likely to occur during extreme weather events and the misuse of pesticides.

Perocho said farmers should be vigilant over pest outbreaks (army worm or cut worm) to prevent serious loss in crop production, especially in rice or corn.

The risk factors of these pests occurrences are variable and severe as it can affect production, yield, and income of the rice farmers. 

Revelegia said that conducting surveillance and monitoring in rice areas will help assess the condition of the crops and the needed interventions will be provided to avoid pest outbreaks, reduce crop losses, and environmental concerns.  

“We are distributing organic fertilizers and pesticides to protect the soil's condition as well as the micro-organisms that are needed for the growth of plants,” said Revelegia.  

Rice farmer Rodrigo Dayapdapan of Brgy. Banban, Ayungon thanked DA for the assistance he received for their rice production.

"Daku kaayo ni nga tabang sa among panghumayan nga mapalambo ug motaas ang among abot ug kita kay mao ni among panginabuhian (The assistance we received for our rice production will greatly help increase our yield and income, since this is our main livelihood)," said Dayapdapan.

Another PRIME beneficiary, Analou Ubas of Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon also thanked DA for their assistance, adding that she feels secured and motivated to work harder.

PRIME is a four-year collaborative project among International Rice Research Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Da. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)