Developing resistant cultivars is probably the best longterm
strategy to control the disease. Aworldwide Coffee Rust
Initiative conceived with the goal of developing resistant cultivars
to the disease should be implemented for coffee. However,
coffee rust has shown a high capacity to evolve and
overcome resistance genes in the plant. Therefore smart breeding
programmes, including the use of partial resistance and effective resistance provided by major genes should be a priority.
Coffee is not only exposed to coffee rust but also other
pests and diseases, which could become serious threats in the
future, particularly with the progression of climate change,
such as the coffee berry borer for which no resistance is available.
Breeding therefore needs to be part of a systems based
strategy that enhances coffee’s resilience to perturbations and
exhibits natural strengths against future risks (Savary et al.
2011; Savary 2014).