Supporting Small Sugarcane Farmers in Their Fight Against RSSI

What is RSSI?

RSSI or the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect, is a pest attacking sugarcane farms.

It is sad to think that the sugarcane industry has been facing difficulties for consecutive years. Last harvest, the price of sugar dropped to a very low price. From there, I noticed how much of a burden it was for both the owners and the caretakers of sugarcane fields. At least they still had some income, even with just a little profit or a small loss. I know this because my father is a farmer who takes care of his cousin’s farm, and he also owns a very small portion of sugarcane land.

And now, I saw the struggle of the people fighting against RSSI — a pest that sticks to sugarcane. The worst damage to the plants looked like they were burned, as if fire had passed by. But the real villain was the RSSI pest. This problem is not just in our local backyards. It is being faced all over the Philippines, most especially in Negros Island.

I am hoping that the government will do their part in helping all the sugarcane farmers. They initially made plans, but I don’t think small farmers were included in the benefits.

Please help the Small Sugarcane Farmers as well. Thank you!

_Emmin◉⁠‿⁠◉msss