Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The association of
mango growers and the provincial government is on alert after a report of cecid
fly infestation in Ilocos Norte.
Cecid fly resembles a bigger
mosquito that attacks mango trees at night.
They leave circular black marks on the mango fruit when they lay their
eggs. Its larva soon goes inside the fruit and eventually destroying it.
To prevent its spread, Ilocos
Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos immediately approved the allocation
of some funds to contain this mango disease that has been affecting the
productivity of mango farmers in the Ilocos region.
Though the total amount was
not publicly announced yet, Ricardo Tolentino, president of the Ilocos Norte
Mango Growers Federation said they are thankful for the provincial government
through the governor for responding immediately to their concern.
As of this posting, mango
traders in Ilocos Norte are monitoring the possible entry of “kurikong”, a
damage caused by cecid flies in green mangoes.
In previous years, kurikong has affected some parts of the
province’s second district but the mango farmer’s vigilance contained it.
Mr. Tolentino reiterated to
fellow mango growers that when they notice infestation, he advised farmers to
gather all damaged mangoes and burn it.
“Please don’t bury them in
soil because it’s where they came from,” said Mr. Tolentino as he explained the
spread of the disease is very easy since it only takes five days when a cecid
fly larva turns into adult.
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