By Kenneth Marcos 
As corn farmers continue to battle pests that threaten their harvests, help is on the way in the form of a free online seminar aimed at strengthening crop protection in Region 2.
The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) is inviting farmers, agricultural workers, and local government units to join the webinar titled “Strengthening Corn Resilience: IPM-Based Fall Armyworm Management in Region 2,” which will take place on October 23, 2025.
The seminar will focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—a method that uses natural, safe, and practical techniques to control pests like the Fall Armyworm (FAW), which has caused serious damage to corn farms across the country in recent years.
Fall Armyworm is a fast-spreading pest known to destroy entire cornfields in a matter of days. Since its appearance in the Philippines in 2019, many farmers have reported major losses. According to DA data, more than 22,000 hectares of corn farms nationwide have been affected by this invasive pest.
The upcoming training aims to equip farmers with updated knowledge and proven strategies to reduce pest damage while lowering chemical use. Experts will discuss pest identification, lifecycle, monitoring, and sustainable control methods.
Organizers said the training is especially important now, as corn remains a vital crop in Region 2 and across the Philippines. Corn is the second most produced crop in the country after rice and is a key food source, as well as an essential ingredient for livestock feeds.
“By using IPM, we don’t just protect crops—we also protect people’s health, preserve the environment, and increase farmers’ income in the long run,” DA-BAR said in a statement.
Interested participants can register for the event online by visiting . The training is open to the public and free of charge.
This initiative is part of the National Corn Program and supports the goals of Bagong Pilipinas, which seeks to strengthen local agriculture through science-based approaches.
With climate change and pest outbreaks becoming more frequent, knowledge-sharing events like this one can make a big difference for smallholder farmers.
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