𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐-𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.
Published by Crop Pest Management Division
The Bureau of Plant Industry – Crop Pest Management Division (BPI-CPMD) in collaboration with DA-Regional Crop Protection Center XIII (DA-RCPC), and DA-High Value Crops Development Program Region XIII (DA-HVCDP) and the City and Municipal Agriculture Offices conducted monitoring and validation of mango cecid fly infestation in selected municipalities in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte.
Based on visual inspections, the primary pests identified in the field include mango hoppers (known locally as piti-piti or bunhok), thrips that affect the flowers or panicles, scale insects and anthracnose that infects the leaves. Mango growers or contractors report that the mango cecid fly (referred to as buti) is generally seen during the cold, wet months or rainy season, and tends to vanish during the dry season.
To manage pest infestations, mango farmers use the following strategies: a) Cultural control methods, which include bagging fruits for 55-60 days, pruning, weeding, and applying both organic and inorganic fertilizers; and b) Chemical control methods, which involve using pesticides and biopesticides.
According to the interviews, mango owners and growers face several challenges: a) pest issues, b) difficulties with market access, such as finding buyers who offer higher prices, c) the need for a mango processing plant to enhance the local industry, and d) high labor costs. The growers have requested a follow-up visit from the team to provide training for farmers. This training would cover good agricultural practices, pest and disease identification and management, new technologies to ensure a successful harvest, and strategies for accessing competitive markets.
