TNC IPB University Encouraged Cocoa Farmers in Wulanggitang to Face Pest and Disease Challenges with Effective Integrated Control
The Farmers and Fishermen Center (TNC) of IPB University invited farmers to implement integrated control of plant pests (OPT) on cocoa plants in Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Representative of TNC IPB University and lecturer at IPB University from the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bonjok Istiaji, S.P., M.Si. said that OPT control needs to be applied in an integrated manner to cocoa plants. Integrated control is the application of various kinds of controls in preventing OPT attacks.
“There is no single way to deal with pests and diseases in cocoa plants. All measures must be taken because there are many pests that attack cocoa plants," he said through an online discussion activity held by TNC IPB University in collaboration with the People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP), Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA), the Good Food Coalition and the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation, recently.
Representative of cocoa farmers in Wulanggitang District, Lian Labut reported that various kinds of pests that attack cocoa plants include sucking ladybugs (Helopelthis sp.) and mealy bugs. In addition, there is also fruit rot disease caused by Phytophthora sp.
“My cocoa pods have black spots. In addition, when the cocoa pods are still small, they also have spots," he explained.
Responding to this, Bonjok suggested leaving a few weeds or other plants around the cocoa plantations. This is done to avoid splashing rainwater which can spread Phytophthora pathogens. Not only that, it is also necessary to pick the infected pods and throw them away from the cocoa plantations.
“Prevention of cocoa pod rot disease can be done by not cleaning weeds too much. Let some weeds grow to avoid splashing rainwater which can spread Phytophthora pathogens. In addition, the infected fruit needs to be picked and disposed of away from the cocoa plantation area,” he explained.
He also added that other controls that need to be implemented to overcome OPT, such as regular pruning and picking, keeping the garden moist, wrapping cocoa pods in plastic, and fogging the garden. (Chelvi/Norma/Rz) (IAAS/BLA)
