The Hindu Business Line : White stem borer may hit arabica output

THE recent let up in rains in coffee-growing areas of Karnataka has led to the flare-up of white stem borer that could cramp the arabica output this year.

While the Coffee Board roughly estimates the arabica crop loss this year to be between 3,000-5,000 tonnes, growers' bodies such as the Karnataka Planters' Association pegs it to be around 25-30 per cent of the estimated crop size of 1.16 lakh tonnes.

"The impact of stem borer attack on the current year's arabica crop prospects cannot be quantified precisely. However, on a rough estimate, the crop loss could be in the region of around 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes," said Coffee Board chairperson, Ms Lakshmi Venkatachalam.

Terming the current situation as "above normal," Ms Venkatachalam said the incidence of stem borer noticed in many of the arabica growing regions could be attributed to the cumulative effect of the prolonged adverse weather conditions that prevailed in the last three years.

"Insufficient rains, prolonged drought and unusual temperature build-up were very favourable for the manifestation of stem borer," she added.

The incidence level is particularly alarming in marginal arabica growing tracts where the impact of hostile weather conditions was more pronounced, Ms Venkatachalam said.

It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 hectares of arabica growing tracts are affected, according to her.

Arabica coffee is grown in about 1.53 lakh hectares.

Commenting on the growers' claim, Ms Venkatachalam said the level of stem borer incidence in general is not as high as 25-30 per cent as it is said to be. However, in estates located in the marginal coffee tracts, which experienced severe adverse weather conditions for the last 2-3 years, the level of stem borer incidence could be as high as 25-30 per cent, she added.

White stem borer, a beetle, is considered a major pest that attacks the stem of arabica coffee plants, thus rendering it useless.

Apart from adverse weather, the poor crop management practices have also contributed to the spreading of this pest. Growers, who are already in the dumps due to low coffee prices, were unable to invest in maintaining their plantations, sources said.

Growers initially felt that the good rains in April and May would bring down the borer menace to some extent. However, with the recent let-up, the borer has flared and the incidence of attack has become rampant in major growing areas of Chikmagalur and Coorg. Coffee Board in its post blossom estimates had projected a 15 per cent growth in arabica crop this year, from 1.01 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Arabica is expected to account for 40 per cent of this year's total coffee output of 2.92 lakh tonnes.