The Role of Training on Uptake of Management Technologies for Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) and Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) among small Holder Coffee Farmers in Kayunga District, Uganda

Abstract

Both Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) and Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) are widespread in Uganda's coffeegrowing regions, with national incidence rates of 68% for BCTB and 2.2% for CWD. The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) introduced several  management practices for both diseases. A study involving 136 coffee farmers in Kayunga District assessed the impact of NARO's training  on the adoption of these practices. Data analysis showed that 70% of the farmers used the management techniques for BCTB  and CWD. Trained farmers had significantly higher adoption rates for most practices compared to untrained ones, particularly for BCTB  management, except for chemical use. For CWD, trained farmers' adoption was higher, excluding the practice of uprooting and burning  infected plants. Knowledge of BCTB management was linked to factors like gender, age, experience, and training, while CWD knowledge depended primarily on training and experience. BCTB damage has decreased by 74% since 2016, attributed to improved farmer  experience. Conversely, CWD incidence has risen by 150%, partly due to reinfection from neighboring unmanaged farms and the use of  susceptible coffee seedlings. Effective management of BCTB and CWD requires a community-based approach to prevent spread.  Additionally, the government should provide resistant coffee varieties at subsidized rates to help farmers combat CWD.