Drive Against Berry Borer Pest At Coffee Plantations In Araku Valley

Alluri Sitarama Raju district administration has launched a drive against the berry borer pest to safeguard coffee plantations across 2,500 acres in 35 villages of the Araku Valley and Dumbriguda mandals.

District collector T. Nishanthi has directed multiple agencies, including the Horticulture and Agriculture departments, DRDA, Coffee Project, APCNF, and Coffee Board, to work in close coordination, detect coffee berry borer infestations early, and minimise losses to farmers.

Fifty survey teams have been deployed, each tasked with covering 20 acres a day. The exercise is scheduled to conclude in four days. Teams comprising Coffee Liaison Workers, ICRPs and VOAs have been trained to identify symptoms of infestation, assess pest intensity, and record findings systematically.

Officials have been instructed to focus on pest hotspots and supply Broca traps, lures, and the biological control agent Beauveria bassiana based on survey results.

Coffee Board assistant director Ayanthi has assured that the required materials would be made available through ITDA.

DRDA project director Jayakrishna emphasised the need for coordinated departmental efforts and pledged support through field staff and resources.

Practical training sessions in dealing with the coffee berry borer pest have been held at Doravalasa village under Chinalabudu panchayat.

The ASR collector stressed that prevention, early detection, and scientific control are vital to contain the spread of coffee berry borer. She directed officials to ensure continuous technical support and urged farmers to report signs of infestation immediately.

Following the survey, depending on the extent of damage, borer control measures involving supply of traps, lures, and biological agents are to be supplied to the affected areas, marking a decisive step in protecting the legacy of Araku’s coffee legacy.