More than 300 farmers, students, educators, and field technicians from Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija and neighboring towns joined the launching of Boo! Boo! Rat!, Palay Mo’y Ligtas 24 Oras, a rat management information campaign, which aims to address the major pest problem of rice farmers in the area.

The campaign was organized to educate the farming community, particularly farmers, on the proper management of field rats. According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculture in Nueva Ecija, Zaragosa is one of the municipalities in the province that are heavily infested by rats.

The launching highlighted the campaign’s key message – rat management activities should be done: 1) in proper timing; 2) on a community-wide scale; and 3) using a combination of different approaches or technologies. Information materials such as leaflets, tricycle banners, and stickers; and an exhibit were used to emphasize the message.

The exhibit showcased modern and indigenous rat management gadgets and technologies. Photos on rat management practices were displayed in an interactive format for added interest and fun.

Highlighting the program was an open forum between the experts and participants, mostly farmers and students. Joining the panel were experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), and the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit (III).

During the forum, the participants were most concerned about the life cycle and breeding patterns of field rats, their damage to rice and practical solutions. Experts emphasized that rat management should involve a combination of approaches and technologies and farmers should not rely on a single approach.

According to Andres Arsanan of Brgy. Del Pilar, "malaki ang naitulong nitong kampanya, parang ginigising kaming mga magsasaka" (the campaign is a big help to us; it serves as a "wake up" call for us to address rat problems in our farms).

Brgy. Councilor Isabelo dela Cruz said farmers have to take the problem and their recommended solutions seriously and on a community-wide scale to reduce rat damage in their fields.

The season-long campaign focuses its activities in Brgy. Sta. Lucia (Y) in Zaragosa with the initiative of the barangay council headed by Brgy. Captain Milagros Ocampo and the local government of Zaragosa through its municipal agriculture office. PhilRice and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Nueva Ecija is providing technical assistance to the campaign. (with reports from Christine Grace Sidchogan and Ronan G. Zagado)