JOIN USA project under PPP model for opening India Coffee House outlets in the district has been proposed by the Coffee Board, board member Manukumar said.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Manukumar said that these coffee houses will be similar to that of the cafes in metropolitan cities. It has been planned to launch the outlets in Kemmannugundi Cross, Seethalaiahnagiri, Devirammana Betta, Horanadu, Shringeri and Taluk office premises. A survey in this regard is in progress. The price of the coffee served in these outlets will be lesser as compared to other cafes, he said.
"While the land will be given by the government, the Coffee Board will construct the cafes and the management will be handed over to private organisations," he said.
Subsidies for planters
The coffee board has provided Rs 9.10 crore for coffee planters between April 2017 till date towards mechanisation, warehouses, water facilities and transplantation. A subsidy amount of Rs 2.2 crore has been released by banks to 900 coffee planters towards interest, he said.
Research is on to control the menace of white stem borer. Kits have been distributed to farmers to control snails in coffee plantations, he said.
The Coffee Board has recommended maintaining a ratio of 51:49 for coffee - chikori mixing and a letter in this regard has been sent to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The board has also requested the Central government to provide subsidy to encourage coffee planters. A memorandum has been submitted to the state government to bring white stem borer and wild snail in the ambit of Karnataka Pest Control Act, he said.
Board office bearers Pradeep Pai and M L Kallesh were present.