JAMAICA'S Coffee Industry, is currently facing a serious challenge from the infestation of the Berry Borer Pest.

The industry stands to lose up to $432.5 million if the outbreak is not contained.

The industry says farmers could lose between a third and a half of their production if this pest is not kept under control. According to the agriculture ministry a task force has been set up to tackle the crisis.

An Integrated Borer Management Programme will be immediately undertaken to effect the following initiatives:

Field sanitation including stripping (removing of green ripe and dried berries from the plants. All of this material should either be buried or burned in a control manner.

Implement the use of Borer Traps; the Coffee Industry Board will embark on a training program teaching farmers how to construct borer traps from used plastic bottles. Attractant for use in the traps will be supplied free of cost to farmers who have constructed traps.

Where the berry borer population remain high after treatment A & B, the appropriate insecticide will be recommended, and a co-ordinated spray program will be implemented in conjunction with the farmers and dealers.

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