Colombia implements bioinput innovations to combat coffee pests

In Colombia, the coffee berry borer (CBB) affects an estimated 75% of coffee crops. Climate change is facilitating the spread of this pest into higher-altitude growing areas, necessitating more sustainable pest management approaches.

CABI is implementing the ‘Digital innovation to protect Colombian coffee farms and farmers’ project to promote the use of bioinputs, such as fungal biopesticides, as alternatives to conventional chemical treatments. Scientists involved in the project have identified optimal conditions for the growth of a fungal biopesticide used to control CBB. This data is being integrated into an early-warning system that combines biological knowledge with climatic and field data to alert farmers to potential outbreaks, allowing for timely application of control measures.

The initiative aims to strengthen Colombia’s bioinputs ecosystem through technical support and information sharing, ensuring farmers know how to use biological solutions effectively.