This refers to the reports, “ >Coffee growers worried as Arabica plantations hit by white stem borer ” (June 8), and “ >Coffee meet on white stem borer ” (some editions, July 5). Even though the Coffee Board has its headquarters in Bangalore, it is unfortunate that there has not been much action forthcoming in tackling a very serious pest. Infestation is rampant with planters uprooting and burning plants. Most of them are shifting to the Robusta variety as it requires less shade and labour. The situation demands that the government appoints a competent agricultural scientist as a key player in the Coffee Board. The Board has also not acted on helping write off loans taken in 2002 and failed to implement in full the CRDP 2010 scheme.
Noor Mohmed,
Madikeri, Kodagu
