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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Israel agriculture experts to help Negros Occidental fight RSSI

Israel agriculture experts to help Negros Occidental fight RSSI

Published Aug 1, 2025 04:45 pm
BACOLOD CITY – A team of agricultural experts from Israel is scheduled to arrive in Negros Occidental next week to assist in combating the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), a pest currently threatening the province’s sugarcane plantations.
The visit follows a meeting between Israeli Consul Moti Cohen and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson here on Wednesday, July 30.
Cohen emphasized Israel’s commitment to sharing its advanced agricultural technology with the Philippines. “I mentioned that Israel has a very good agricultural technology, and we are sharing this with the Philippines," he said.
He added that experts will assess the situation on the ground and explore ways to manage the infestation using Israeli techniques.
GOV. Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomes Israeli Consul Moti Cohen during his visit to Negros Occidental on Wednesday, July 30. (Photo via Capitol PIO)
GOV. Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomes Israeli Consul Moti Cohen during his visit to Negros Occidental on Wednesday, July 30. (Photo via Capitol PIO)
This is not the first time Israel has extended support to the province. Cohen noted that Israeli specialists also assisted the province last year in resolving water pollution concerns through its technology.
Lacson welcomed the upcoming visit and expressed hope that Israeli intervention would lead to effective strategies in controlling the spread of RSSI.
According to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), RSSI has affected 1,980.44 hectares of sugarcane in 18 local government units in the province, impacting 1,072 farmers.
The infestation has a potential to reduce sugar content by nearly 50 percent — a significant blow to the industry and the livelihood of local farmers.
The SRA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are currently implementing countermeasures, including quarantine protocols and pesticide distribution.
The province was recently placed under a state of calamity, following the dual impact of a recent tropical cyclone and the RSSI outbreak.
Lacson thanked Cohen for the gesture of the Israeli government to the family of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Leah Mosquera from San Enrique town, who was killed in a missile attack in Israel recently.

Related Tags

Negros Occidental RSSI Israel Consul Moti Cohen Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson
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