The Crop Pest Management Division headed by its Chief Ms. Wilma R. Cuaterno conducted a training on PROTOCOL AND FIELD DATA GATHERING on April 4-8, 2016 at the Tropicana Suites Residence Hotel in Malate, Manila.  More than 50 men and women participated in the training from the Bureau of Plant Industry, DA-Regional Crop Protection Centers (RCPC) and DA-RFO Regulatory Divisions. The training aims to validate the agreed standard format on field monitoring for rice;  practice and evaluate the standard protocol for rice and lastly,  enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills in monitoring and field data gathering.   

A field trip was also conducted in a farm in San Rafael, Bulacan where participants gathered data and presented them after the trip. A standard format that would be used was discussed and agreed on for the evaluation of the monitoring and data analysis protocol on rice pest. Dr. Fe Dela Pena and Mr. Genaro Rillon, PhilRice Experts helped the participants reduce the form by advising them to concentrate on major insect pests and consider only the major problems and put a remark column should there be an incidence or observance of pests. Mr. Rillon advised to include recommendation and control strategies given. They also suggest to include cultural practices management history to determine interventions.

Pest monitoring format for corn was also tackled. The basic principle in monitoring was discussed by IPB-UPLB representative while Dr. Edwin Benigno lectured on the analysis of data. Dr. Jesus Binamira a CPMD consultant, suggested that the standard monitoring format to be developed should apply to all 8 priority crops (rice, corn, cassava, mango, pineapple, banana, coconut and rubber) major pests in the road map of crop protection.  

It was also emphasized that the role of the data gatherer is critical because monitoring the population is important. The farmers or data gatherer must be knowledgeable and are trained to correctly identify the pests. Their judgement must be consistent to ensure correct interventions and recommendation.   

The training which is set to standardize data gathering report to forecast pests and issue advisories and corresponding pest management was a very productive one. (LAEugenio/ Contributor: WR Cuaterno)