UCDA says Coffee Wilt Disease remains a big threat to Robusta
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has revealed the main pests and diseases threatening Uganda’s coffee sub-sector.
According to survey findings contained in UCDA’s monthly report for July 2021, Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) remains a serious threat to many coffee fields in Robusta regions. UCDA conducted a survey on pests and diseases largely in central Uganda and Greater Masaka during the month of July 2021.
“The survey established that the main pests are tailed caterpillars (56.3%), black coffee twig borer (BCTB) (20.2%) and leaf skeletonizers (16.0%). The diseases with highest incidence and severity are red blister disease (51.6% and 1.9) and brown eye spot (47% and 1.5),” UCDA report reads in part.
It adds: “Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) remains a serious threat to many coffee fields in Robusta regions, while coffee leaf rust is the greatest threat in Arabica regions.”
UCDA is also encouraging stumping of old coffee trees to increase production.
In this regard, a cumulative of 2,815,833 old and unproductive coffee trees have been stumped in different regions: Central 19,900 trees for 346 farmers (258 male & 88 female); Elgon 1,592,539 trees for 5,263 farmers (4,376 male, 886 female & 13 youth); Rwenzori stumped 256,160 trees for 1401 farmers (1,178 male & 187 female); South West 627,297 trees for 49,815 farmers (36,269 male & 13,546 female); Eastern 83,884 trees for 4,798 farmers (2,810 male,1,704 Female & 284 youth); and Western 236,053 trees for 765 farmers (666 male; 97 female & 2 youth). Northern (Mid North/West Nile) and Greater Masaka stumping figures were not recorded as there was no deliberate plans to conduct stumping.
“Campaigns on stumping have been shifted to Western and Northern Uganda where distribution of over 90,000 bags of organic fertilizers shall commence
in August ending in September 2021,” UCDA report says.
The major challenge of the month was the COVID-19 pandemic which was a major hindrance to rolling-out the planned farmer trainings as movement and gatherings were restricted.
“Farmer visits were conducted under strict observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),” UCDA says.
ALSO READ: Here Are Diseases Threatening Uganda’s Coffee Sector & How To Control Them
About the Author
Thank you Taddewo William Senyonyi,
Is there a possibility to inform us how we can get rid of the following:
1. CWD – Coffee Wilt Disease
2. BCTB – Black Coffee Twig Borer
3. Leaf sekeletonizers.
This will make, in my opinion, the article very wholesome.
Thank you
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