MUHAMMAD AJUL, Basilan — The persistent infestation of cocolisap, also known as the coconut scale insect, continues to pose a serious threat to coconut plantations in the Municipality of Muhammad Ajul, with Barangay Sulutan reported to be fully affected, according to local officials.
Coconut farming is a vital economic backbone of the municipality, where extensive groves of Cocos nucifera sustain hundreds of families through copra production, coconut oil processing, and other byproducts. However, the unrelenting spread of the pest has severely weakened trees, slashed harvests, and eroded the already fragile income of local farmers.
Barangay Sulutan Chairman Faisal Sali underscored the gravity of the situation, describing the infestation as a long-standing crisis.
“The cocolisap disease has been a constant concern for our barangay. Every coconut tree here is affected, and its impact is deeply felt by our farmers and their families,” Sali said.
The cocolisap feeds on the sap of coconut trees, gradually draining their nutrients. Infested trees exhibit yellowing and wilting leaves, which eventually dry up and fall off. Over time, fruit production declines sharply, and in severe cases, entire trees die—resulting in total crop loss. For small-scale farmers who rely almost exclusively on coconuts, this translates into months of lost income and mounting debt.
Local agricultural authorities acknowledged that while control and mitigation measures have been introduced in some areas, these efforts remain insufficient to curb the infestation’s spread. Experts stress that without sustained pest management, technical intervention, and regular monitoring, the damage could worsen and take years to reverse.
Municipal leaders are now appealing to concerned government agencies and partner organizations to urgently step in. They are calling for expanded technical assistance, access to pest control inputs, and the introduction of alternative livelihood programs to help farmers survive while coconut trees recover.
As the infestation persists, farmers in Muhammad Adjul face an uncertain future—one where the continued decline of coconut plantations threatens not only agricultural output, but also food security and the economic stability of entire communities dependent on the crop.