FIRST PEST CONTROL LAB IN CARAGA ESTABLISHED IN SURSUR TOWN

The Department of Agriculture - Caraga - Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) in a joint effort with the local government unit of Cantilan, inaugurated the villagetype Biological Control Agent (BCA) Laboratory on Monday, February 14, held at the Municipal Agriculture Office - Cantilan Compound.

The realization of the BCA came after the severe infestation of pests and diseases which resulted in production yield losses in the CarCanMadCarLan area in this province, composed of the municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza. The facility is equipped with fabricated laminar flow hood, heavy-duty blender, pressure cooker, and other laboratory equipment.

The DA revealed that the laboratory facility aims to supply Biocon agents such as the Metharizium anisopliae, a fungus that grows upon insect host cuticle that controls the population of rice black bug (RBB), locust, mosquitoes, and soil termites.

Through the establishment of the said facility, it will be able to easily supply Biocon agents to the farmers in the first district of Surigao del Sur, whilst serving the whole province in terms of natural pest management. The initiative pioneers the municipality of Cantilan as the first LGU in the region to establish a village-type Biocon Laboratory.

The inauguration was personally led and attended by DA-Caraga regional executive director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. and Regional Technical Director Nicandro M. Navia, Jr., officials of the local government unit, headed by Mayor Maria Carla Lopez- Pichay, with the presence of 1st District Congressman Butch Pichay, and Municipal Agriculturist Ceasar Blanco. (with report from DACaraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)