According to the provincial Plant Protection Department, hot and humid weather has accelerated the spread of various pests and diseases on coffee trees.
Currently, more than 2,000 hectares of coffee across the province are affected by branch dieback, pink disease, mealybugs, coffee leaf rust, and branch borers—an increase of nearly 300 hectares compared with the end of August 2010. The districts most heavily affected include Cam My, Xuan Loc, Dinh Quan, and Trang Bom.
The Plant Protection Department recommends that, during the rainy season, farmers fertilize their coffee plants adequately, prune excess shoots, and clear surrounding weeds to improve air circulation in the plantation. If severe infestations are detected, farmers should use targeted treatments, giving priority to biological pesticides to reduce environmental pollution.