Under the rehabilitation program for Taal-affected cities and municipalities and the Quick Response Fund for Fall Armyworm (FAW), Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON, through the Regional Corn and Cassava Program, distributed P1,140,845 worth of agricultural inputs for corn production to a total of 140 corn farmers in Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas, held on September 14–18, 2020.

Farmers from San Jose, Santo Tomas, and Lipa City, Batangas; Dasmariñas, Cavite; San Pablo City, Laguna; and other farmers’ associations including the Calamba Upland Farmers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Laguna and Balayan corn farmers in Batangas received a total of 114 bags of hybrid glutinous corn seeds, three bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds, 239 bags of fertilizers, 31 bottles of insecticides, and 665 packs of FAW pheromone lure worth P1,140,845.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Stations, the presence and build-up of FAW in a particular area can be identified using pheromone traps. Pheromones are natural compounds released by female FAW moths to attract male moths for mating. Synthetic compounds that imitate natural FAW pheromones, often referred to as lures, are put in traps to attract and trap male moths. Moths captured are then counted. Farmers will know from these numbers if FAW is present in their fields and whether there is a need for increased scouting. In evaluating the implementation of beneficial and complementary measures, the data gathered from this farming device can be helpful.

Through the Regional Corn and Cassava Program, these agricultural inputs from the regional office aim to increase the production of quality corn, as well as to increase farmers’ income by providing free, quality seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural interventions, like the much-needed pheromone lure for FAW. • (MAP, DA-RAFIS)