 "Tackling white stem borer on mission mode: Jawaid Akhtar")
Coffee plantations have been facing White Stem Borer (WSB) pest over the years. But the damage to crop during the last two years has been severe. Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar explains measures taken to tackle the menace to Mahesh Kulkarni. Edited excerpts:
Impact on plantations of White Stem Borer pest devastating Arabica crop for second consecutive year?
The white stem borer has left significant impact on areas growing 70-80% of Arabica beans. We conducted a survey a couple of months ago, which revealed that 50% of the area growing Arabicas in Karnataka has seen high incidence of the menace.
What measures have you taken to eliminate the pest?
We have taken many steps to tackle the menace on mission mode and are disseminating the information to all the affected growers. We are training planters and their workers to manage their plants and demonstrating in sample plots for popularising the integrated pest management (IPM).
We want to work with everybody who can help us in protecting the plants. We have also started a collaborative research programme with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in 2012. We are going into the third year of the programme as it is giving positive leads. We expect more leads in the days to come.
We also experimented with private research laboratory and found that cement pheromones are of help. Hence, we are developing new formulations to be put in the traps that are used.
Has the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) found remedy for the pest, which has been festering over the years?
The Department of Bio-technology-sponsored collaborative research project for the development of WSB resistant Arabica varieties in phase-I (2012-14) has done well and the reports are positive. We are in the process of getting validated them before proceeding further.
The genes which help in the resistance of the pest has been located and there are possibilities to use it through biotechnology. This research was done in our research institute (CCRI) and will be put forth for third-party inspection for action.
An action plan, submitted to the government recently, has been approved and it is under implementation. We are also in the process of preparing report cards of all plantations like soil health cards.
What has been the focus of research?
We are developing high yielding varieties of Arabica with tolerance to pests and diseases. We are also developing drought tolerant high yielding Robustas.
Improvement of productivity through efficient crop management practices, integrated pest and disease management to minimise crop losses, mechanization to improve efficiency of farm operations and quality improvement along with pollution abatement are other areas of our research.
Crop prospects for 2014-15 after White Stem Borer invasion?
I will not repeat the forecast made a couple of months ago (Board projected 344,500 tonnes) on production for the crop year. Broadly, prospects are looking good in this year. About 50% of area in Karnataka recorded high incidence (over 25 plants per acre) of White Stem Borer. We will come out with post-monsoon estimates in October, closer to the commencement of harvest season.
When will the Board implement the development schemes of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), as we are already in the mid Plan period?
The 12th Plan proposals are before the Union Cabinet for approval, which will take two months. However, we have been given green signal to implement the development schemes not requiring cabinet approval. Only in some cases, where budgetary allocations are to be enhanced, the planters may have to wait for couple of months.
Will there be additional funds to tackle White Stem Borer?
There are enough funds available to tackle the pest and there is no need for more funds at this stage.
Impact on plantations of White Stem Borer pest devastating Arabica crop for second consecutive year?
The white stem borer has left significant impact on areas growing 70-80% of Arabica beans. We conducted a survey a couple of months ago, which revealed that 50% of the area growing Arabicas in Karnataka has seen high incidence of the menace.
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Around 3.5-million plants were uprooted during the first flight period. Our original plan was to remove 10 million plants. Due to rains, however, the situation improved. As the second flight period has started, we will assess the situation and decide on removing an additional six million plants.
What measures have you taken to eliminate the pest?
We have taken many steps to tackle the menace on mission mode and are disseminating the information to all the affected growers. We are training planters and their workers to manage their plants and demonstrating in sample plots for popularising the integrated pest management (IPM).
We want to work with everybody who can help us in protecting the plants. We have also started a collaborative research programme with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in 2012. We are going into the third year of the programme as it is giving positive leads. We expect more leads in the days to come.
We also experimented with private research laboratory and found that cement pheromones are of help. Hence, we are developing new formulations to be put in the traps that are used.
Has the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) found remedy for the pest, which has been festering over the years?
The Department of Bio-technology-sponsored collaborative research project for the development of WSB resistant Arabica varieties in phase-I (2012-14) has done well and the reports are positive. We are in the process of getting validated them before proceeding further.
The genes which help in the resistance of the pest has been located and there are possibilities to use it through biotechnology. This research was done in our research institute (CCRI) and will be put forth for third-party inspection for action.
An action plan, submitted to the government recently, has been approved and it is under implementation. We are also in the process of preparing report cards of all plantations like soil health cards.
What has been the focus of research?
We are developing high yielding varieties of Arabica with tolerance to pests and diseases. We are also developing drought tolerant high yielding Robustas.
Improvement of productivity through efficient crop management practices, integrated pest and disease management to minimise crop losses, mechanization to improve efficiency of farm operations and quality improvement along with pollution abatement are other areas of our research.
Crop prospects for 2014-15 after White Stem Borer invasion?
I will not repeat the forecast made a couple of months ago (Board projected 344,500 tonnes) on production for the crop year. Broadly, prospects are looking good in this year. About 50% of area in Karnataka recorded high incidence (over 25 plants per acre) of White Stem Borer. We will come out with post-monsoon estimates in October, closer to the commencement of harvest season.
When will the Board implement the development schemes of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), as we are already in the mid Plan period?
The 12th Plan proposals are before the Union Cabinet for approval, which will take two months. However, we have been given green signal to implement the development schemes not requiring cabinet approval. Only in some cases, where budgetary allocations are to be enhanced, the planters may have to wait for couple of months.
Will there be additional funds to tackle White Stem Borer?
There are enough funds available to tackle the pest and there is no need for more funds at this stage.