SRA steps up fight vs sugarcane pests

MANILA, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has strengthened its fight against the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in sugarcane farms, through the expanded use of chemical spraying drones and financial aid.

In a statement, the SRA said it had allocated P35 million to expand the coverage of chemical spraying drones to 25,000 hectares in RSSI-infested fields, while the expansion to about 40,000 to 45,000 hectares is also being prepared.

To support the rollout of pesticides, the Universal Leaf Philippines will be lending its drones for aerial spraying and C-130 aircraft will be provided by the Philippine Air Force to transport chemicals.

This comes following a meeting with local government officials affected by the RSSI infestation.

SRA administrator and CEO Pablo Luis Azcona said the agency must quickly contain the pest infestation to protect sugarcane farmers, sustain milling operations and keep sugar prices stable for consumers.

“Our objective is to minimize crop losses, stabilize sugar production and prevent unnecessary disruptions in supply.” he added.

Out of the 421,606 hectares of planted area, about 93,898 hectares of sugarcane land has been affected by the pest, particularly in Negros Island and Western Visayas, according to the SRA.

During the same meeting, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said assistance would also be given to farmers affected by the pest infestation.

Affected farmers will be given P10,000 in cash assistance through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DA is also looking to expand the subsidy to up to 20,000 beneficiaries affected by the RSSI infestation.

“Every hectare we save means protecting livelihoods, preserving sugar production, and keeping one of the country’s most important agricultural industries strong. We intend to act quickly, decisively, and in close partnership with local governments,” Tiu Laurel added.

The DA and the SRA have also prepared memorandum of agreement templates to channel funds directly to local government units and cooperatives to procure chemicals and supplies.

Both agencies will also back the creation of a decentralized biocontrol network, establishing local laboratories to produce biological control agents against future infestations.

An outbreak was confirmed in Negros Occidental in 2025 and has since spread through the island and neighboring provinces.

RSSI was first detected in the country in 2022 and has continued to threaten the sugar industry. The pest feeds on the sugarcane’s fluids and reduces its sugar content by up to 50 percent.