The diseases of coffee under the changing climate: the established situation in Kenya

Abstract

The distribution of key diseases of coffee particularly the Coffee berry disease (CBD) and Coffee leaf rust (CLR) in Kenya depended on coffee growing agro-ecological zones, which have varied climatic conditions. Under the changing climate, there has been an observed shift in their altitudinal distribution. To ascertain whether these diseases have shifted in their distribution, an extensive field survey covering 120 coffee farmers/households in all the coffee growing agro ecological zones was conducted. The survey established four coffee diseases; viz. Coffee berry disease, Coffee leaf rust, Fusarium root disease (FRD) and Bacterial blight of coffee (BBC) as of economic importance to the farming community. The CBD, CLR and FRD were widely distributed in all coffee growing agro ecological zones. Of the four diseases, the CBD (65%) and CLR (63.3%) were most common as reported by the farmers, however these diseases dominated in their respective agro ecological zones; CBD (72.2%) in Upper Midland 1 (UM1) and CLR (75.0%) in Upper Midland 2 (UM2). Both diseases equally infected coffee farms (69.2%) in main coffee zone (UM2). According to the survey said diseases have increased their altitudinal range, a trend that will increase diseases pressure in coffee growing areas.