YAOUNDE Nov 9 (Reuters) - Heavy rains in Cameroon have caused blackpod disease to spread and risk denting output from two leading growing regions in the world's fifth largest grower, members of cooperatives said on Wednesday.
Cameroon's annual cocoa output hit a record of 240,000 tonnes in the 2010/11 season and the Cocoa Development Authority has forecast production rising to 250,000 tonnes in the on-going 2011/12 season.
Joseph Nde, manager of the cocoa growing and exporting firm Cameroon Marketing Commodities (CAMACO), based in Kumba in the South-West, said months of rains had prevented farmers from treating their crops with pesticides.
"Right now we are praying that the dry season should set in as soon as possible or else, from the rate at which the disease is spreading across the region," he said.
"I am afraid this could bring down output by about five to 10 percent this season if the heavy rains continue for another month," he added. South-West produces about 40 percent of Cameroon's overall crop.
Similar reports came in from the Centre region, which also accounts for about 40 percent of the crop.
"Many farmers have now given off the idea of spraying their farms because it will just be a waste of time and money as the rains just wash off the chemicals," said Emmanuel Nguile from Bafia, 135 km north of the capital.
"So within a short time the blackpod has hit us and is spreading very fast. Hardly will you find any farmer who will not complain that his plants and pods have not been attacked."
Separately, state radio said a bridge over the Ntem River in the South region, the country's No. 3 growing area, collapsed due to floods, preventing farmers from taking produce to market.
(Reporting by Tansa Musa; Editing by David Lewis)
No comments:
Post a Comment