The Bureau of Plant Industry-Crop Pest Management Division- Pest Forecasting Section led by Ms. Merabil Corpuz, and a representative from the Regional Crop Protection Center IV-B, visited major onion producing areas in Occidental Mindoro to address pest and disease issues and improve pest management strategies. They conducted courtesy calls in three municipalities and engaged with local stakeholders to address concerns about pests, diseases, and crop timelines. They selected three barangays in each municipality and installed pheromone traps to monitor Onion Armyworm (OAW) and cutworms. The team collaborated with technical staff to engage interested farmers in pest management activities, conducting interviews, providing educational sessions, and demonstrating proper pheromone lure installation. The materials provided to 32 beneficiaries included pheromone lures, biopesticides, fungicides, record-keeping kits, and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, all aimed at enhancing the region’s pest management efforts and improving the overall health of onion crops.
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