Doctoral research provides innovative perspectives for coffee berry borer management considerations

• The research establishes the basis for addressing a crucial problem in coffee production, offering an innovative approach that could contribute to supporting the implementation of strategies for managing the coffee berry borer problem at a regional and global level, through a landscape approach.

December 20, 2023. Sergio Vilchez Mendoza, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the GAIA doctoral school of the University of Montpellier, France, and coordinator of the Biostatistics Unit of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), completed his doctoral research focused on the critical issue of the coffee berry borer, a widespread pest in coffee growing regions worldwide. Motivated by an interest in understanding ecological interactions to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, Vilchez embarked on a comprehensive study to expand knowledge and mitigate the negative impact of this pest on coffee production.

His research, entitled Spatial and temporal dynamics of the coffee berry borer (Hypothemus hampei): proposal of a simulation tool for planning management and control strategies at various spatial scales, represents an effort to understand the dynamics of the coffee berry borer at the landscape scale, seeking a collaborative management approach among producer families. The core of his thesis focuses on the development of a simulation tool that allows exploring management strategies, considering the particularities of the plots and the surrounding environment.

The concept of spatial and temporal dynamics, present in the title of his thesis, refers to the changes and behaviors observed in a system at a specific location, in this case, focused on the life cycle of the coffee berry borer. This approach, developed on the CORMAS platform and integrated, facilitated the development of the simulation model to evaluate the complex interactions between the pest, the plant and the farmer, taking into account the influences of the biophysical environment and the landscape context.

The research reveals significant findings that highlight the interdependence between CBB management, agricultural practices in individual plots and the connectivity between them. Vilchez emphasizes that effective control of the pest is not limited to a specific farm, but requires a cooperative approach that involves the owners of neighboring farms to implement joint management strategies.

The researcher has stressed that his simulation tool is not only a technical tool, but a means to strengthen collaboration between researchers, technicians and coffee producers. Although it has not been field-tested, Vilchez plans to work collectively with key stakeholders to revise, correct and calibrate his model.

The relevance of this research for CATIE lies in its alignment with the institution's mission to manage ecosystems and landscapes in a sustainable manner. Vilchez's contribution to the understanding of CBB management highlights the need for integrated strategies that consider pest mobility and landscape context, supporting sustainable practices in coffee production.

This doctoral research has been possible thanks to the support and collaboration of diverse stakeholders, including producer families, institutions such as the Center for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE), the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE), the Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and the Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (ICTA), as well as researchers and funding agencies.

With this research, Vilchez has laid the groundwork for addressing a crucial issue in coffee production, providing an innovative approach that could transform CBB management strategies regionally and globally.