Climate change linked to fall armyworm surge in Isabela —DA exec

Corn farmers in Isabela appealed for help as fall armyworms, commonly known as harabas, continue to devastate their crops.

According to Sara Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras”, experts believe climate change plays a role in the sudden increase in the population of harabas and other invasive insects in the province.

“Malaki ang epekto ng climate change. Gaya na lang ng pagtaas ng temperature, then, ‘yun pabago-bagong panahon. Uulan, aaraw. Ambilis ng development ng disease,” said Ilagan City Department of Agriculture Crop Protection Center Mindaflor Aquino.

(Climate change has a huge effect. The rising temperature and abrupt changes in weather contribute to the fast development of diseases.

Apart from insect infestation, climate change also causes plant diseases that may affect up to 50% to 100% of the farmers’ yield.  Watch the full report.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News