After a severe infestation of pests and diseases which resulted in production yield losses in the CarCanMadCarLan (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza) municipalities in Surigao del Sur, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga – Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Cantilan, inaugurated the Village-Type Biological Control Agent (BCA) Laboratory on February 14, held at the Municipal Agriculture Office of Cantilan.

Biological control or Biocon is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, and plant diseases using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but also involves human management.

Moreover, the use of Biological Control Agent or BCA is a strategy that is less costly and cheaper than any method of Pest Management. This gives protection to the crop, provides a safer environment, is easily multiplied in the soil, and leaves no residual problem.

Regional Technical Director Nicandro M. Navia, Jr., said that the current status of food production is very challenging and the infestation of pests and diseases became even more difficult for the farmers. Navia added that having their own Biocon laboratory will greatly impact their farming.

“With BioCon, we no longer need synthetic pesticides and assured that all of our crops are safe. It has been proven that many farmers prefer this natural pest control and said that their rice production increased,” he said.

For DA-Caraga, equipment and materials such as Fabricated Laminar Flow hood, Heavy-duty Blender, Pressure Cooker, and other laboratory materials were personally handed by Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. and RTD Nicandro M. Navia, Jr. to Municipal Mayor Maria Carla Lopez – Pichay, 1st District Congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., and Municipal Agriculturist Ceasar Blanco. Meanwhile, LGU Cantilan funded its building construction and provided additional manpower.

The laboratory aims to supply Biocontrol 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.

With the establishment, 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 pest management. The initiative pioneers the Municipality of Cantilan as the first LGU in the region to establish a village-type Biocon Laboratory.

Moreover, RED Oñate lauds the proactive measures of LGU Cantilan for always positioning their Agriculture Office to new know-how and practices, in accord with the One DA Reform Agenda of the Department.

“Being the forerunner in creating this kind of laboratory outside the main regional center in Trento, we are expecting a stronger partnership and continuous support with the LGU Cantilan to whatever involvements they present to us, for the betterment of the lives of our farmers and fishers in this Municipality,” RED Oñate said. (Kent Warren Fugoso/DA-13RAFIS)