he farms are abuzz and although Roya (Leaf Rust) continues to wreak havoc on farms unable or unwilling to consistently combat the relentless fungus, this years harvest shows very promising signs. Farmers are optimistic they will over-come the disease and that coffee prices will recover in the not too distant future. Edgar Fernandez of Cafetelera Fernandez says; “The Roya is persistent, but we have been diligent with our efforts to control it.  This year was tough and it was expensive to fight it, but we’ve won the battle.”  Mr. Fernandez went on to say, “Not all farmers were as fortunate.  Many have suffered because they under-estimated the Roya or were unable, due to financial reasons, to address the disease.”