Heavy rains impact coffee output for 2018-19

India’s coffee production for the 2018-19 crop season is likely to drop, owing to very heavy rainfall in major growing regions across Karnataka.

As a result of the rainfall, which is in excess of 60 inches in many parts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts, where 70% of India’s coffee is grown, during the first 45 days of the monsoon, the plantation areas witnessed incidents of black rot disease and bean droppings.

“We have witnessed excess rainfall over the last few days in all growing regions, which is 30-40% higher than last year. As a result of heavy rains and excess moisture, many plantations have seen black rot incidents and bean droppings. Since the bean dropping has just started, it is very difficult to estimate the exact loss of crop this year,” Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman H T Pramod told DH.

He said the crop is likely to be shorter this year, compared to 2017-18, when the production was to the tune of 3,16,000 tonnes.

“Due to heavy rains, we have not been able to visit the plantations to make an assessment of the crop size this year. Once the rains subside, we will assess the situation and come out with our estimates for this year,” a Coffee Board official said.

The official further added that the coffee crop was in very good condition before the onset of monsoon.

Apart from heavy rains, coffee plantations across Kodagu have witnessed tree falling and disconnection of electricity connections. “We are unable to take up repair work due to incessant rains. Lack of electricity and labour shortage have added to our woes,” Pramod said.

The coffee crop was in very good condition during April and May. However, heavy rains followed by a lack of sunlight in the plantation areas has resulted in fungal infection. “If there is no let up in the rain in the next few days, and if the planters fail to carry out spraying of pesticides, there will be widespread damage to the crop. In such case, the production this year could remain at last year’s level or even be lower,” Nishanth R Gurjer, a planter and former chairman of KPA, said.

The Arabica production will be less this year as it is an “off year” for the variety, he added.

Already, growers are affected by the drop in prices of Arabica and Robusta. The prices of Arabica parchment have come down by 25% at Rs 6,700 per bag of 50 kg, compared with Rs 9,000 per bag last year.