PCA approves Chemrez's organic pesticide CropGuard

Chemrez Technologies Inc., an agri-solutions unit of D&L Industries, received approval from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for its locally developed organic pesticide CropGuard.

CropGuard is designed to combat coconut scale insect and has been integrated into PCA's official Integrated Pest Management framework as a non-invasive and residue-free alternative.

The new pesticide helps farmers comply with organic standards while protecting crops and communities, offering an alternative to potentially harmful systemic insecticides like neonicotinoids.

Based on tests conducted with the PCA and the University of the Philippines Los Baños, CropGuard is recommended for spraying twice in coconut plantations, 15 days apart, effectively preventing CSI spread and reducing severe interventions.

As of May 30, cocolisap had affected 516,962 coconut trees across several regions, highlighting the significance of CropGuard's approval for farmers' livelihoods and organic certification.