Assessment of the economic damage by pests and diseases and environmental impacts associated with crop management Cocos nucifera in the municipality of Guapi, Cauca, Colombia

Abstract

In order to assess the economic damage caused by plagues and diseases and environmental impacts associated with crop management coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Afro-descendant communities of the municipality of Guapi, Cauca, Colombia, workshops, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and phytosanitary field inspections were performed; financial evaluation techniques were applied to establish the effect of pest attack on crop profitability. As a result it was determined that the level of severity of the attack according to the table severity (0-20% mild, moderate 20-50% and >50% strong), causing significant economic losses in coconut families Guapi, Cauca ($1’625,259 ha/year), for the attack of the complex Gualpa, Ring Red. The environmental impact generated by crop production is mainly reflected in the water, soil and resources of flora and fauna by the technical conditions for the establishment and management of the crop and not by the use of chemicals as they are little used by farmers.