Management of Coffee Leaf Rust Disease in India: Evidence for Socio-economic and Locational Determinants

Coffee leaf rust is a major disease affecting the production of Arabica coffee. This paper presents an estimation of socioeconomic and locational determinants of CLR management as they relate to the application of fungicides (Bordeaux mixture and systemic fungicides) in India. Using survey data from 575 growers (comprising 90% small and poor growers), estimates of binary logit models offer evidence on the significant impact of altitude, rainfall, age of household head, economic status, social caste, and size of bearing area of the Arabica coffee cultivation on CLR management. Given the socioeconomic and estate variables, the estimated probability of adoption is highest for Bordeaux mixture. These results offer new insights into CLR management practices beyond the known cultural and cultivation practices. They imply a need for public policy on recommended CLR management practices and subsidy for chemical inputs to improve production and productivity of small and poor Arabica coffee growers. Further, the framework and results are relevant and applicable to other Arabica coffee growing countries in Asia and Africa.