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

Kellet Tumuramye – Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University
Godfrey Kagezi – National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) / National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)
Blasio Bisereko Bwambale – National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI) / National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), P.
Bernard Fungo – African Centre of Excellence in Agro-Ecology- Uganda Martyrs University
Florence Nassimbwa – National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) / National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)
Wagoire W. William – National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) / National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)
Email: tumuramyekellet@gmail.com

Abstract: Both Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) and Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) are widespread in Uganda’s coffee-growing 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.