Our project includes both cash-crop in terms of organic coffee and sustenance
in terms of community gardens run by Mother's Clubs. In the coffee tree
nurseries, carniverous ants are killing the earth worms in the humus beds.
Because of our organic certification we can't apply any available
insecticides. At the same time, ants are consuming the small plants in the
Mother's Clubs gardens before they can produce anything. I'm at the point of
understanding what is meant by comments to the effect that organic farming
might not be sustainable. Our form of sustainability applies nature's little
helpers.
In other areas of IPM, we are applying fungus to counter Coffee Borer insect
and leaf rust with some success. We have hints of problems relative to rust
and its ability to expand a rate greater than the fungus (sustainability at
what level of production?).
Does anyone have any ideas on how to attack this problem organically? What is
the least toxic way to handle the problem using chemicals?
Thanks for your help.
Bob Kane, North American Coordinator
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture in the Tropics (SIAT)
Jaen, Peru