Experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bio-technology Office and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are pushing for multi-tactic approach against vegetable pest. The multi-tactic approach includes biological control, cultural management, good agronomy and the use of bio-tech crops called as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Crop Life Philippines and the Insecticide Resistant Action Committee (IRAC) are also working in partnership with the Department.

Trainers Training workshop on Insecticide Resistant Management was held on Tuesday at the Benguet State University (BSU) in collaboration with the BSU’s Department of Entomology.

Cris Michelina of CropLife explained that they have some compounds that are effective to fight against vegetable pests to deal with the problem of pests becoming resident to pesticide.

The message of IRM is being spread among farmers, municipal agricultural officers, and other stakeholders nationwide against vegetable pests.

The Head of DA’s Bio-tech Office said that an effective Insecticide pest management should include pesticide because in some situation farmers left with no option despite of using pesticides. Adalla said that now-a- days there are no harmful pesticides in the markets.

Meanwhile, Adalla said that government is developing a BT Talong (eggplant), which is under testing currently. Adalla added that if successful then it will benefit both farmers and large farming entrepreneurs.