Mitigating Antestia Bug Damage and the Potato Taste Defect in Rwandan Coffee

Andrew Gerard and Joseph Bigirimana

No 303567, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Briefs from Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP)

Abstract: KEY FINDINGS -The potato taste defect (PTD) reduces the value of coffee in Africa’s Great Lakes Region, and in doing so decreases farmer incomes. -The antestia bug is an East African coffee pest that can cause up to 40% of coffee cherry loss. -While scholars have suggested that the antestia bug may cause PTD, a new study presents experimental evidence that controlling antestia reduces PTD. -This study also shows that Fastac (10% alpha-cypermethrin) and organic pyrethrum-based pesticides, when combined with pruning, are effective at controlling antestia and reducing PTD. -While the percentage of farmers using pesticide has increased since 2015, 24.41% of farmers still do not use pesticide. -Further, most farmers do not receive training on antestia control. -Policy recommendations to improve antestia and PTD control are included.

Keywords: Food Security and Poverty; International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 6
Date: 2018-06-21
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:miffpb:303567

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.303567

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