Coffee Berry Borer Threatens Coffee Plantations Along India's Eastern Coast – CoffeeTalk

The Coffee Berry Borer pest has raised alarms among planters in Andhra Pradesh’s coffee cultivation region, with the Central Coffee Board confirming its presence in four villages in the Araku Valley. The pest is believed to cause widespread damage to tribal coffee plantations. The Coffee Board has initiated an urgent containment operation, with its chairman overseeing the efforts on-site. A special survey is currently underway across 11 mandals to track the spread of the pest-infliction. Teams of scientists and coffee board officials are working closely with tribal farmers to encourage them to remain vigilant and report signs of an outbreak. Field visits have confirmed active destruction in infected zones, prompting the launch of awareness campaigns to help farmers identify and respond to the pest early. The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) is supporting this survey through its field officers. The first confirmed outbreak was traced to Pakanakudi village in the Chinalabudu panchayat, under the Paderu revenue division. Officials have begun collecting infected beans from the coffee plantations and using hot water immersion techniques to eliminate the insects. Quarantine measures have been implemented in five villages.

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