Government and representatives of the sector have announced the creation of a work commission that will focus on defining new strategies to boost the coffee activity in the country.
Representatives from the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) and coffee producers held a session in which they agreed to work together on various issues that impact on the activity of the sector, among which, are the effects caused by pests.
According to the union of coffee growers the threat of an increase in the incidence of rust remains high, in the regions of Coto Brus and Turrialba.
The "Early warning and recommendation system for the combat of Rust" by the Coffee Research Center, details that the threat of increase of rust remains high in the regions of Coto Brus and Turrialba. However, in the localities located in the regions of Pérez Zeledón, Zona Norte, Central Valley, Western Valley and Los Santos, the threat is gradually reduced depending on altitude and microclimates.
The amount of rust on plots using disease management showed a significant increase over the past 30 days, mainly in Turrialba, Coto Brus, Central Valley and Los Santos.
From a report by the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica - September 2016:
An increase has been foreseen in diseases affecting coffee crops in September and October, due to the transition of from severe drought to above normal rainfall.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture:
San Jose, September 12, 2016 (IICA).The transition from severe drought to rainfall above normal that occurred between 2014 and 2015 put Central American countries on alert, as they could face a surge in diseases affecting coffee crops, such as rust and 'ojo de gallo' in some areas of the region.
The government will not authorize imports of this agrochemical, in compliance with the Stockholm Treaty which prevents entry into Europe of goods that have used this product in the cultivation process.
In order to combat the effect of the borer on plantations producers have requested the government to lift the ban on the import of this chemical product.
Arguing that the impact of the coffee berry borer in coffee plantations has "...
The presence of an outbreak of beetles has been detected in coffee plantations in the states of Espirito Santo and Sao Paulo, where they have declared a state of phytosanitary emergency.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Storage (MAPA by its initials in Spanish) has declared a state of phytosanitary emergency in Sao Paulo and Espirito Santo because of an imminent risk of an outbreak of Hypothenemus hampei, popularly known as Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) or 'broca' in Spanish.
The fungus has propagated in more than 70% of plantations, similar to the level seen in 2012, when the outbreak of coffee rust first emerged in the region.
Of the 14 departments 13 have already reported infestation on coffee farms especially in medium and large sized shrubs.
Total exports from the 2013/2014 harvest amounted to 3,130 thousand bags each weighing 60 kilos, 15% less than in the previous season, when 3,706 bags were sold.
The plague of rust fungus is the main culprit for the decline in coffee exports in most producing countries in the region, which affected, on average, 50% of the crop.
Bad for some ... good for others ... the Agricultural Suppliers Association of El Salvador projects a 35% increase in sales of fungicides to the coffee industry.
Elmundo.com.sv reports that "So far, more than $2 million has been invested in the purchase of fungicides to combat the rust blight, however, to attend to all of the coffee plantations, it would take up to $7 million."
The disease is advancing steadily, with no public or private plans in place to combat the scourge, which is making its greatest appearance since the seventies.
Laprensa.com.ni reports on the destructive influence of the "Roya" blight on coffee plantations in Nicaragua, but the drama is being experienced with similar intensity throughout Central America.
A mutant strain of the fungus is affecting 40% of trees in this country and is raising concerns due to its spread potential.
This aggressive variety of rust attacks the leaves of plants and reduces their productivity, and it finds better conditions in low-altitude sites, where it is warmer and there is more moisture.
Heavy rains in recent days have raised fears about an attack of the fungus ‘ojo de gallo’ (Mycena citricolor) in coffee plantations, especially in the highlands.
Last year in 2010 the plague affected 10% of the total sown area, about 10,000 hectares.
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