Control of coffee berry borer and increase of coffee yields using Surround WP (kaolin)

Control of coffee berry borer and increase of coffee yields using Surround WP (kaolin)

Summary

This year marked the beginning of the project.  We met with our participating farmers and instructed them on how to carry out the experiment.  Farmers then applied our treatments through the fruit ripening season up until the last harvest of the season.  One of our farmers dropped out of the program due to internal family/farm troubles.  Some data was comprised on other farms due to the farmers not being proactive enough with their spraying and their hired labor.  However, some good data were generated.

• Participating farmer spraying coffee with Surround WP
• Participating farmer assisting with the harvest/data collection

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objectives for this year were to initiate the experiment, assist farmers with their applications and collect the first year of data.

Accomplishments/Milestones

All of our objectives were met this year and we collected data that supports our hypothesis that Surround WP may be a good control mechanism for the coffee berry borer.  Upon seeing the encouraging results of the first year of data, all our participants resolved to participate more fully in the experiment.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

As a result of our first year of data, non-participating farmers were encouraged to try Surround WP on their farms.  We look forward to following up with them to find out if the product meets their expectations.  We are encouraged by the work and look forward to a second year of data collection.

Collaborators: