Article abstract

Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research

Research Article | Published September 2023 | Volume 11, Issue 2. pp. 35-41.

doi: https://doi.org/10.33495/jacr_v11i2.23.114

 

The insect pests of coffee and their management practices in the main coffee growing region in Kenya

 



 

 

Mugo H. M.1*

Mwangi D. I.2*

 

 

Email Author

 

 

1. KALRO- Coffee Research Institute, P.O Box 4- 00232, RUIRU, Kenya.

2. Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.


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Citation: Mugo HM, Mwangi DI (2023). The insect pests of coffee and their management practices in the main coffee growing region in Kenya. J. Agric. Crop Res. 11(2):35-41. doi: 10.33495/jacr_v11i2.23.114.

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 Abstract 


Coffee farming in Kenya is a major source of income for over 800,000 farmers. Globally, the Kenyan coffee is renowned for its high quality. Most of the Kenyan coffee is produced in the Mt. Kenya region. Its production faces many challenges that include infestation by a complex of insect pests. A field survey covering eight (8) main coffee-growing counties and 485 households in the Mt. Kenya region was conducted in May 2022. The survey aimed to establish the key insect pests in the region, and their distribution and management practices applied by the farmers. The survey established eight (8) insect pests as of major importance in the region. These included the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), Thrips (Diarthrothrips coffeae), Leaf miners (Leucoptera spp), Yellow Headed Borer (Dirphya nigricornis), White Borer (Anthores leuconotus), Green scales (Coccus alpinus), Kenya Meallybugs (Planococcus kenyae) and Antestia bugs (Antestiopsis spp). Their occurrence ranged from 5 to 66%. The C. alpinus (66%) occurred in all the surveyed counties, Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) and coffee farms’ households. The D. nigricornis (57%) was the second most common insect pest. The C. alpinus, D. nigricornis, Leucoptera spp and H. hampei dominated the “Lower” coffee zone and were less dominant in Upper Midland 1(UM 1). Farmers used insecticides, plant extracts, and physical, mechanical, cultural, and field sanitation approaches to control the pests. Insecticides at 79% was the most widespread practice used by coffee farmers. This study and its findings are key to Agricultural extension services in providing focused technical advisory services to coffee farmers based on specific insect pests per the Agro-Ecological Zones from the Mt Kenya region.

Keywords  Agro-ecological zones   insect pests   infestation   management practices  

 

 

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

 

 

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