Situation caused by the coffee rust in Central America is critical

The Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Robério Silva in an exclusive interview with Coffee Break, said the situation of coffee producers of the five countries he visited in Central America is "distressing and disturbing." Robério visited Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to check closely the damage caused by the outbreak of rust in coffee. "Come on in the crop and realized what caused the disease, all the foliage is on the ground," said the director of the ICO.
The epidemic affecting the region was the worst seen since when the disease first emerged in Central America in 1976. Robério emphasized the importance of coffee to the region, with more than two million Central American producers who earn their living by growing coffee. According Robério, the total loss in five countries, is 2,700 million bags. "The producer is desolate, it looks at the plantation almost in tears. Only left to do with burning twigs coffee "compared.
In the document submitted to the Executive Director Organization Robério reports that "although the rust is not a new phenomenon, the current epidemic is one of the worst ever recorded. The state of emergency was declared plant in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras continues. In Nicaragua and El Salvador, also affected the pest attacks the leaves of coffee trees and prevents the grains ripen. "This table shows that there must be a severe negative impact on both the current harvest, the harvest of the next year," related Robério.
Incidence rates, according to the report of the Director of the ICO are as follows: In El Salvador, 74% of the coffee plantations are committed, 70% in Guatemala, Costa Rica, 64% of the coffee plantation affected, 37% in 25% in Nicaragua and Honduras.
"It is estimated that around 374,000 jobs will be lost due to rust, since the labor of the harvest will no longer be used. Furthermore, the loss of income of farmers can generate increased migration to North America, "says the report authored by Robério.
In terms of the world coffee market, Central America (excluding Mexico) produced 15.8 million bags in 2011/12, accounting for almost 12% of world production. The estimated loss of 2.7 million bags represents a decrease of 17.1% over the previous year. Moreover, this will have significant consequences for consumers of specialty coffees, given the importance of Central America as a quality source.
Robério Silva presented his report on a project against rust, which provides various actions, including the extensive and systematic disclosure and use of tools Communication and Political Marketing. "In addition, we work hard so that the mission of the OIC, which is to strengthen the coffee sector globally, is performed. You need to coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the solutions offered to producers affected are the most appropriate to meet their needs, "said the director.
Pesticide use, climate change adaptation; renewal program of the coffee; financial risk management and a full study of the coffee sector in Central America conducted by the International Coffee Organization are too much the other actions proposed in the report submitted by the Executive Director Robério Silva.
The visits were conducted from April 18 to May 3.
Source: Coffee Break