LOS BANOS, LAGUNA -- Representatives from the Government, research and academic institutions, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will convene today in an international conference to develop sustainable Integrated Pest Management strategies against the coconut scale insect (CSI) at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna.

Since 2010, the CSI has infested the CALABARZON region and the province of Basilan in Mindanao, damaging more than 2.7 million coconut stands. Unless effectively managed, CSI will continue to threaten the livelihood of people who rely directly or indirectly on coconut farming.

 “Smallholder farmers, who bore the brunt of major natural disasters in the past years, are even more vulnerable with the infestation of CSI, having limited resources and knowledge on integrated pest management. It is towards this end that we are extending assistance to explore sustainable and cost-effective strategies that can be adopted by our local communities,” said Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines.

Fernandez noted how participatory approaches can respond well to local conditions and build an enabling environment for smallholder farming families. He added, “We recognize that an enabling environment can only be created if local capacities are built, accountable ways of working are promoted and reflective action amongst project partners at all levels are encouraged.”

The conference aims to draw lessons from good practices shared by international and local experts, bridge gaps in existing strategies and develop a sustainable national integrated pest management strategy for addressing CSI in affected communities. With FAO support, and in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), a study to explore ways to effectively and sustainably manage CSI is being conducted by an international expert on pest management.   

About CSI

CSI are leaf sucking insects with waxy scales. They thrive at the underside of the leaves and cause yellowing or chlorosis, wilting, premature nutfall and low yield. CSI infestation was first reported in Batangas on 2010, and since then has affected four provinces, 88 municipalities and 891 barangays in the CALABARZON region. PCA reports show that an infested tree incurs 58 percent loss in yield. Without proper intervention, the coconut industry in the region may lose PhP 12.75 billion.