Fight against pest must go on

As the clock ticks on, the fight against the Cocoa Berry Borer cannot scale down as the livelihood of more than 3 million people will be at stake.

This was the message from the National Agriculture, Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) and Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC).

Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) Secretary, Dr Vele Ila’ava, said the CBB National Emergency Response Committee notes that a total of 80 hectares is infested with CBB in Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands provinces.

“The NERC further notes that out of the total 80ha of farms affected, 3 farms in Jiwaka have 100 percent infestation and 60 farms in Asaro have less than 3 percent infestation.”

The committee has endorsed the CBB emergency response plan proposed by the technical team from CIC and NAQIA to eradicate the CBB in EHP and Jiwaka provinces, with a budget of K115,458,978.

He added that CIC and NAQIA teams have been instructed to prepare a revised NEC submission to eradicate CBB in Jiwaka and EHP over the next 3 years.

The committee also recommended to CIC board and management to revise the coffee levy formula to support the CBB emergency response plan over the next three years.

Dr Ila’ava commended the CIC and NAQIA teams for their concerted efforts over the last 14 weeks in raising CBB awareness and the comprehensive delimiting surveys done in the country.

In the meantime, the NERC will pursue the release of K20m through Treasury and Finance, which has been approved by the National Executive Council.

Author: 
Press Release