Courtesy of IICA
Weather experts point out that during September and October, the typical weather phenomenon known as La Niña will prevail, threatening coffee production due to a possible presence of fungi in very wet conditions, or the appearance or rebound of diseases.
Although rust epidemic is being controlled properly, we should not underestimate the factors that favor the attack of this fungus, said Miguel Barquero, head of the Research Unit of the Regional Cooperative Program for the Technological Development and Modernization of Coffee Cultivation ( PROMECAFE).
Specialists in agriculture met to discuss the possible implications of climate variability in agriculture and determine recommendations as health surveillance, cleaning drains, adjusting planting schedules, crop insurance, decision-making when planting and investing, taking into account the hydro-meteorological information.
Barquero suggests good shade management in the early stages of cultivation, the appropriate light input in established plantations, sanitary pruning and renewal of tissues including preventive applications.
Then Central America Climate Forum held in Costa Rica yielded important findings for other areas, such as fisheries and aquaculture, agricultural health, nutrition and water resources.