Farmers told not to demand compensation for borer work

Business

By ZACHERY PER
FARMERS of coffee trees infested with coffee berry borer (CBB) pest have been urged to work with coffee extension officers to rehabilitate their gardens without demanding compensation.
Coffee Industry Corporation general manager for research and grower services Dr Mark Kenny said it made no sense for growers to be demanding compensation for pruning and subsequent reduction in their coffee income.
“There is no logic for you to demand compensation for us to come in to help you,” he told farmers at Tolu in Jiwaka recently during a CBB awareness campaign.
“We must stop this kind of attitude and work together to contain and eradicate this beetle.
“The reduction is minimal for a period of at least three years.
“The good thing is you save your block from complete destruction by the CBB pest that can completely cut off your main or only source of income.
“All coffee trees in an infested area must be pruned.
“CBB beetle will spread from a block or garden that is not pruned.
“This is why farmers of all infested coffee trees in an area must participate in the recycle pruning exercise.”
The campaign, under the theme ‘Together We Fight Coffee Berry Borer’, started in December last year.
Tolu is on the site of the former Wahgi Mek Plantation, which was taken over by landowners, who have sub-divided it into blocks.