Rat infestation in rice farms in Negros Occidental resulted in production loss worth about P8.4 million, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA). OPA data showed that from July to August, rats have attacked a total of 703 hectares of rice fields in four localities in the province. OPA head Japhet Masculino on Tuesday said the rodents infested the rice farms in four barangays of San Enrique, 11 barangays of Valladolid,  three barangays of Bago City, and four barangays of Cadiz City. A total of 507 farmers – with combined areas of 703.66 hectares – were affected. Bago City, which is known as the “rice bowl of Negros Occidental,” posted the highest loss at P6.06 million, affecting 344 farmers with a total area of 467.24 hectares. Valladolid followed with an about P1.6-million loss, affecting 89 farmers with 113 hectares of rice farms. Meanwhile, San Enrique posted crop loss worth P473,514, affecting 61 farmers with 112.45 hectares and Cadiz City, P226,830 crop loss, affecting 13 farmers with 10.97 hectares. The local government units of the rat-infested areas were already instructed to strengthen their crop protection teams, said Masculino. They were also urged to activate their Bantay Peste Brigades to curb the possible adverse effects of rat and other pest infestations. The OPA also initially released 25 kilograms of rodenticide to affected areas in Valladolid and Bago City. Masculino said the OPA also recommended the conduct of massive information drive on rodent management in Negros Occidental.