'Appeal to regulate mixture of chicory with coffee'

"The mixing of chicory is affecting the quality of the coffee powder. The Coffee Board has appealed to the Centre to regulate the mixture," said Coffee Board president M S Bhoje Gowda.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said, "A delegation of office-bearers of various organisations met the Ministry of Commerce recently and appraised them of the problems faced by the coffee industry. Coffee growers grow quality beans. However, the middlemen, keeping in mind the profit, mix 50% to 60% chicory to the powder and are cheat the consumers."

He said that the delegation has urged the Centre to waive off the interest on the loans borrowed by the growers.  They should be allowed to repay the loan in five instalments.

An appeal was also made to release pending financial assistance of Rs 69 crore for the coffee growers.

Karnataka Growers Federation president B S Jairam said, "The wild animal menace is on  the rise in Hassan, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts. The animals are damaging the crops. As a permanent measure, rail fence project to mitigate human-elephant menace should be taken up."