SAVING THE RUBBER FARMS. As Pestalotiopsis or the rubber leaf fall disease threatens rubber farms in the Caraga Region, the Department of Agriculture’s regional office has intensified its information campaign to rubber growers. The campaign, which will run throughout June this year, aims to equip rubber growers with knowledge of the disease and help them protect their rubber farms through various scientific methods and approaches. (Photo courtesy of DA-13)
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) has stepped up measures to protect the area’s rubber industry from the threat of Pestalotiopsis or rubber leaf fall disease.
DA-13 Regional Technical Director Abel Wagas, who is in charge of the research, regulations, and integrated laboratories, said Pestalotiopsis is a deadly disease that can severely affect the productivity and profitability of rubber farms in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
“Some rubber farms in Agusan del Sur are already infested with pestalotiopsis. Regular monitoring, early detection, and prompt treatment are up to support our rubber farmers in the region,” Wagas told reporters here Wednesday.
Pestalotiopsis is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Pestalotiopsis sp. and is considered an emerging grave threat disease for rubber trees. It can cause leaf defoliation and reduce productivity up to 70 to 90 percent for the worst affected rubber farms.
Data provided by the DA’s High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) indicated that the leaf fall disease was detected in Agusan del Sur rubber trees on April 18 this year.
To date, eight hectares of rubber farms in the province with 3,900 rubber trees are affected, with about 40 to 60 percent severity.
These rubber farms are located in Barangay New Visayas in Trento municipality and Sitio Tagbanao, Barangay Awao in Sta. Josefa town.
The DA-13 expressed concern that Pestalotiopsis may spread rapidly to other rubber farms in Agusan del Sur and the nearby provinces as it is considered an airborne disease.
The disease was first discovered at rubber farms in the Zamboanga Peninsula in July 2022 and in Basilan province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in December last year.
Measures up
Dailinda Mamalis, the DA-13 HVCDP coordinator, said the agency has allotted PHP376,500 for the procurement of fungicides to help the growers treat their affected rubber trees.
An additional PHP199,100 funding was also set aside to support the Regional Crop Protection Center in Caraga for their laboratory supplies and chemical and filtering activities.
“We are also intensifying our communication activities to help our rubber growers understand the nature of pestalotiopsis and the different treatment approaches and contain its spread,” Mamalis said.
She added that their information caravan had commenced last week to impart the needed facts on Pestalotiopsis to rubber farmers in the region.
Vital industry
Rubber farming is among the vital agri-sector in Caraga as the industry provides a significant source of income for farmers and contributes to the overall economy of the area.
As of 2022, the region has 13,176 hectares (has.) of land areas planted with rubber with an average yield of 2.06 metric tons (MT) per hectare.
The region ranks fourth in terms of land area planted with rubber in the country with BARMM in third spot (39,096 has.); Soccsksargen (64,940 has.); and Zamboanga Peninsula (99,713 has).
Last year, Caraga also landed in the fourth spot in terms of rubber production with 17,484.74 MT; BARMM (78,369.33 MT); Soccsksargen (134,387.16 MT); and Zamboanga Peninsula (162,575.39 MT).
In Caraga alone, Agusan del Sur has the highest number of areas planted with rubber at 11,500 has.; followed by Agusan del Norte (850 has.); Surigao del Sur (716 has.); and Surigao del Norte (110 has.). (PNA)
