TUGUEGARAO CITY: The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has called on farmers to be watchful and vigilant against five harmful pests expected to hit the region in the first quarter of the year.

Mindaflor Aquino, DA Region 2 Crop Protection Center chief, said farmers in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) should always be vigilant in their area for any infestation that can destroy their crops.

Aquino said their call is based on the results of the analysis submitted by the DA-BPI through the Crop Pest Management Division.

According to the DA-BPI, the top harmful pests are the rice stem borer, rodents (rats), brown plant hoppers (ulmog, bunhok, waya-waya), bacterial and rice black bug.

"We are reminding farmers in the region to carefully monitor their area and crops for the possible impact of said dreaded pests resulting in large losses," Aquino said.

She said they have been receiving reports of these pests in the region and thus "we are reminding farmers to immediately inform the Agricultural Extension Workers in their respective areas if something is noticed in their farms."

The DA-BPI is also encouraging farmers to contact the offices of the Regional Crop Protection Center in the City of Ilagan, the Regulatory Division at DA Regional Field Office 2 in Tuguegarao City or the offices of the provincial, city and municipal agriculturists for immediate action.