
Joel Ayco, a farmer in Barangay Midpapan in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato sprays pesticide in his ricefield on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. Farmers in Midpapan are forced to use pesticides due to the Philippine rice black bug infestation which damages the rice grains. Severe black bug infestation leads to decreased yield in harvest, or worst, crop failure. Ayco’s ricefield is due for harvest in the first week of March. MindaNews Photo by Ruby Thursday More