Dr. Jill Villanueva, PhD virtually represented the Philippine Rubber Research Institute during the Association of National Rubber Producing Countries 5th Technical Committee Meeting on Plant Protection (ANRPC-TCPP) held at the Rubber Research Institute (RRI), in Kottayam, Kerala, India in collaboration with the International Rubber Research Development Board last September 24-26, 2024.
Dr. Villaneva, the Technical Secretary of the ANRPC-TCPP briefed the meeting on the current status of the incidence of pests, insects, and diseases including the Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease. She also presented the prevalence of rubber pests in the Philippines.
The 3-day event was attended physically by member countries such as India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and other members, namely; China, Cambodia, and the Philippines who attended the event virtually. Meanwhile, Malaysia attended the event both physically and virtually.
This international platform on crop protection is relevant in sharing of ideas and information, crafting of comprehensive management strategies, and formulating policies related to rubber pests management towards productivity and sustainability of the rubber industry.
