The Hindu Business Line : Extension likely for project to curb white stem borer

The Common Fund for Commodities, an autonomous inter-governmental financial institution, constitutes a partnership of 106 member States, withthe European Community, the African Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa as institutional members.

Apart from India, the project is being implemented in Zimbabwe and Malawi, where white stem borer infestation is rampant.

The fund project manager, Mr Caleb Dengu, after visiting several research farms in Chikmagalur, run by the Coffee Board, as part of a mid-term review, said he was satisfied with the project's progress.

"In the last two years, the focus has been on developing methods to curb infestation and training field staff. Now we intend to reach out to the growers, especially the smaller ones, with technologies and practices developed under the project," said Mr Dengu, adding that the project's timeframe is likely to be extended by a year.

White borer that infests arabica coffee is considered the most destructive pest. Growers are left with no choice but to uproot the infected trees. It is estimated that the white stem borer has affected over 5,000 acres of coffee in India.

Mr Dengu said up to 15 per cent of coffee plants in small holdings in the country is likely to be lost due to infestation by stem borer pests, while the damage in big plantations is expected to be restricted to 2-3 per cent due to precautions and effective measures.

Mr Dengu had a meeting with the National Multi-Commodity Exchange Of India Ltd. The Common Fund for Commodities, Mr Dengu said, was keen to assist the multi-commodity exchange in capacity building.

According to Mr Dengu, India is among the top three nations in the world in coffee research and human resources in the sector, along with Brazil and Colombia. While the quality of Indian coffee has gone up rapidly in the last three to four years, low domestic consumption is a cause for worry, he said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Global wheat, flour trade to rise 5 mt: IGC

Waiting with hope

Extension likely for project to curb white stem borer

Counting the catch

Cong, TDP at loggerheads over Godavari lift irrigation project

Rubber prices unchanged

`Sugar futures aligned to realities of physical trade'

Molasses duty cut to Rs 750/t

Bought leaf units urge Tea Board to defer e-auctions

Gold may come under pressure

Mills furnish Rs 1-cr guarantee for contract cotton farming

Further upside seen in commodity markets

Farmers asked to register

KSCARDB offices, banks to be networked

IEA book on oil saving methods