By Kenneth Marcos 
Before sunrise in the farming towns of Bambang and Dupax del Sur, local growers walked through their fields with quiet concern. Many feared the return of the onion armyworm, a pest that has caused heavy losses in past seasons. This week, government experts arrived to help them prepare.
The Bureau of Plant Industry’s Crop Pest Management Division (BPI-CPMD), together with municipal agriculture offices, conducted field monitoring and validation of onion armyworm infestation in Nueva Vizcaya from October 21 to 22, 2025. The visit came weeks before the next planting cycle, a crucial period for farmers relying on onions as their main source of income.
During the activity, specialists inspected farms to assess current pest pressure and identify early signs of infestation. The onion armyworm has been a major threat in several producing provinces, spreading quickly and damaging large areas of crops if not controlled early. Officials said field validation helps determine which farms need urgent support and what preventive steps must be taken before planting begins.
To strengthen protection efforts, the CPMD installed pheromone lure traps in strategic locations across the two towns. These traps help detect the presence of adult moths, allowing farmers and technicians to monitor pest movement more accurately. Early detection, they said, is key to avoiding widespread outbreaks.
Farmers also received pheromone lures and bio-pesticides during the event. BPI experts conducted a technical briefing, teaching growers the proper installation of pheromone traps, correct spacing, and routine inspection schedules. They also explained how to record field observations so that data can be shared quickly with agricultural offices for timely intervention.
The training included discussions on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for controlling major onion pests and diseases. Officials emphasized that managing armyworm requires a combination of good field sanitation, regular monitoring, biological control agents, and responsible use of pesticides. By understanding pest behavior and using science-based approaches, farmers can reduce losses while lowering production costs.
Local agriculture officers said the activity is part of a larger effort to strengthen pest surveillance in the province, which has become an important onion-producing area in recent years. With demand for onions rising nationwide, protecting farms from destructive pests is essential to ensuring stable supply and fair market prices for both producers and consumers.
As planting season approaches, the BPI urged farmers to stay vigilant and report unusual pest activity immediately. Experts stressed that controlling onion armyworm is a shared responsibility—one that becomes easier when government agencies, farmers, and communities work together.
The initiative in Nueva Vizcaya aims to give farmers the tools and knowledge they need to safeguard their harvest, helping them enter the new season with greater confidence and protection.
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