SRA Bolsters Fight Against Sugarcane Pests with Drones, Aid

MANILA, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has intensified its fight against the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), a pest affecting sugarcane farms, through expanded use of chemical spraying drones and financial aid for farmers. The initiative aims to stabilize sugarcane production and maintain consumer prices. The SRA has allocated P35 million to expand the coverage of chemical spraying drones to 25,000 hectares in RSSI-infested fields, with preparations underway for an additional 40,000 to 45,000 hectares. To support pesticide rollout, Universal Leaf Philippines will lend its drones for aerial spraying, and the Philippine Air Force will provide C-130 aircraft for chemical transport. This action follows a meeting with local government officials affected by the RSSI infestation. SRA administrator and CEO Pablo Luis Azcona emphasized the need for swift pest containment to protect sugarcane farmers, sustain milling operations, and ensure stable sugar prices for consumers. "Our objective is to minimize crop losses, stabilize sugar production, and prevent unnecessary disruptions in supply," Azcona stated. According to the SRA, approximately 93,898 hectares out of a total planted area of 421,606 hectares have been affected by the pest, with significant impact in Negros Island and Western Visayas. Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that affected farmers would receive P10,000 in cash assistance through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DA is also considering expanding this subsidy to up to 20,000 beneficiaries. "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 SRA have also prepared memorandum of agreement templates to channel funds directly to local government units and cooperatives for the procurement of chemicals and supplies. Both agencies will also support the establishment of a decentralized biocontrol network, including local laboratories for producing biological control agents against future infestations. The RSSI outbreak was confirmed in Negros Occidental in 2025 and has since spread to neighboring provinces. First detected in the Philippines in 2022, the pest feeds on sugarcane fluids, reducing sugar content by up to 50 percent and posing a continuous threat to the sugar industry.