Implementation Obstacles and Mitigation Measures. Coffee growers current income levels precluded any additional investments in their plantations seriously damaged by coffee rust disease (Hemileia vastatrix), nor in those plantings slowly recovering via renovation techniques using disease-resistant varieties. RVCP worked to mitigate the situation by providing members with coffee seedlings to renew and repopulate areas (tissue management techniques). Most coffee producer groups are low income and unable to complete agricultural practices in a timely manner. This leads to decreased productivity. RVCP technicians mitigated the situation by working with producers to access available sources for financing. Seismic activity continued in San Marcos throughout 2015 damaging infrastructure, roadways, offices and homes in general and several coffee processing facilities, as follows: a warehouse operated by Cooperativa San Pablo, wet xxxxx operated by three co-ops (La Esperansita, 21 de Octubre and San Pablo). Some of the members´ homes were also damaged. The circumstances weighed heavily on the individuals working/living in the RVCP target area and constrained the Project`s ability to organize large meetings. Severe weather affected RVCP activities as summarized below. Hailstorms in the highlands of San Marcos and Huehuetenango greatly damaged potato and snow pea crops. Producers worked quickly to minimize the damage by applying fungicides and foliar fertilizers to encourage regrowth and mitigate financial losses. Nevertheless, the hail forced producers from Asociacion San Xxxx Las Xxxxx in San Marcos, to take losses on their snow pea crops and replant their land with seed provided by the agro- export company that buys their crop. Dry spells caused severe damage to potato crops (withering, parched soil, stunted growth and weak root, stalk and foliage) along with increased pests and disease. At the time of this writing, technicians are yet unable to estimate total losses. Drought affected family garden plots in San Xxxxxx Ixtahuacan, San Marcos and in La Libertad, Huehuetenango. As a result, members from RVCP organizations cut back on their participation in scheduled activities. The Project is working on mitigation efforts as follows: FEDECOAG worked with producers to share information on climate change as provided by INSIVUMEH, CONRED and CAAT. The additional information will assist producers in planning their next plantings based on weather forecasts (prolonged dry spells) to extend their water reso...
Implementation Obstacles and Mitigation Measures. ▪ The current income levels of coffee growers precluded any additional investments in their plantations seriously damaged by coffee rust disease (Hemileia vastatrix), nor in those plantings slowly recovering via renovation techniques using disease-resistant varieties. RVCP worked to mitigate the situation by providing members with coffee seedlings to renew and repopulate areas (tissue management techniques). ▪ Most coffee producer groups are low income and unable to complete agricultural practices in a timely manner. This leads to decreased productivity. RVCP technicians mitigated the situation by working with producers to access available sources for financing. ▪ Most of the members of RVCP grower groups have little spare time during harvest season hence it is difficult for technicians to schedule training activities. To mitigate the situation, technicians are rescheduling events, but using their time to provide technical assistance on harvest and post- harvest techniques. ▪ Given the unpredictable circumstances that take place in the RVCP area for the horticulture value chain, technicians adjusted irrigation schedules. To further mitigate the situation, RVCP/FEDECOAG technicians implemented irrigation plans that extend to: a) irrigation calendar to make optimal use of water resources; b) correct number of waterings; c) correct use of spraying devices, and d) phase-in replacements of spraying equipment with drip irrigation (use demo plots to enable horticulture producers to observe benefits). ▪ Extreme weather events affected RVCP activities as described below. − Frost conditions throughout higher elevations in San Marcos and Huehuetenango damaged export crops, including snow peas, sweet peas and lima beans; yields are expected to drop. To mitigate the frost damage, RVCP/FEDECOAG technicians worked with growers to apply foliage fertilizer and bio stimulators to recover leaf growth, but also irrigate at appropriate times (pre-xxxx). − Heavy rains and hail at higher elevations in Huehuetenango affected foliage, blooms and setting. In response, RVCP/FEDECOCAGUA technicians recommended early fertilization and the use of shade management techniques, particularly in the most vulnerable areas. − Prolonged drought, especially in areas of Huehuetenango and in San Xxxxxx Ixtahuacan in San Marcos discouraged RVCP producers from tending their family garden plots. In some cases, growers did not have enough water for their families´ drinking needs. To mitigate the prob...
Implementation Obstacles and Mitigation Measures. The surge in the incidence of coffee rust disease and greater prevalence at higher altitudes has remained a constant concern for RVCP producers. ANACAFE estimated in January 2014 that incidence of the disease was at about 46% nationwide and at about 40% in the RVCP target area. In addition, the effects of the disease are magnified in older coffee plantations and current estimates are that approximately 60% of coffee plantations is 15 years or older (productive life of a coffee plant is estimated at 25 years). In some instances, the problem of coffee rust disease is an obstacle to RVCP implementation, particularly those designed to increase production and income for growers in the coffee value chain. To mitigate the effects of these conditions, the Project continued to promote RVCP grower groups to access funding through the Trust Fund for the Guatemalan Coffee Sector (Fideicomiso Apoyo al Sector Cafetalero Guatemalteco in Spanish). Growers can request funding on an individual basis or collectively. In addition, ANACAFE and FEDECOCAGUA technicians continue to monitor the spread of coffee rust disease to contain the disease. The Project also set up phytosanitary brigades to chemically control and eradicate coffee rust disease. RVCP encountered significant obstacles this reporting period and was unable to mitigate the impact. The obstacles included mass demonstrations to block traffic in some instances and crop damage from prolonged drought in others. The latter hampered RVCP technical assistance for horticulture production and nutrition programs, as well as efforts to renew plantations using varieties resistant to coffee rust disease. Despite these constraints, Project technical staff rescheduled activities to continue with implementation progress. Some members from RVCP producer organizations in San Marcos and Huehuetenango speak one of the Mayan languages, limiting the ability of Project technicians to communicate effectively. To remedy the situation, the Project is using other members of the grower groups as interpreters. Some of the communities in which ARTEXCO is working with artisans are plagued by crime and drug activity. To mitigate risk, RVCP technicians reached out to community leaders in each location to share information about Project objectives. As a result, leaders are supportive of the Project and technicians have gained the trust of the community, ensuring they can work more freely. RVCP had been working with 280 members from Asocia...
