The Department of Agriculture (DA) swiftly moved to help farmers nationwide combat fall armyworm (FAW) by enlisting researchers of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on 28 January 2021 at the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC), Los Baños, Laguna.
Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, chief of staff and DA undersecretary, with the help from the leading entomologists of the university, identified research gaps and potentials to better devise management strategies against FAW.
Research needs identified include better ways to lure or catch FAW, crop diversification strategies, and field sanitation initiatives.
Training protocols for farmers on the management of FAW were also seen pertinent, helping in the early identification of infestations on the field.
In 2020, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) supported two UPLB research initiatives on FAW management.
One project aims to explore the use of biological control agents against true armyworm, onion armyworm, and fall armyworm.
The technology which would be developed from the said project will serve as a better and safer option for FAW management, particularly for corn and onion farmers, while also advocating the reduced use of chemical insecticides.
Meanwhile, another project focuses on the development of lures and traps for fall armyworms using pheromones.
The said pheromones will be used for monitoring, trapping, attracting, and killing fall armyworms.
The project targets to produce locally developed pheromone blends and lures that are cost-effective.
Six new research proposals were submitted to DA-BAR during the said meeting.
DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril called for urgent measures to mitigate the pest in time for summer.