Coffee drier brings smile on faces of growers

A demonstration on coffee drying machine was held at Venkitt valley estate at Kandanakolli near Madikeri on Wednesday.  A large number of coffee growers visited the estate to have a glimpse of the drier. 

Estate owner Raghu Cariappa said that shortage of labourers is affecting coffee estates off late. The coffee drying machine can be used for drying with the help of minimum labourers. “Otherwise drying coffee requires 10 to 12 labourers. However, with the machine, one can finish the drying work with just two labourers,” he said

SKF company representative Ramadas said that parchment coffee can be dried within 10 to 12 hours using the machine. Normally it takes five to six days for drying in the yard. Coffee cherries can be dried within 16 to 18 hours. In the yard it will take at least 10 to 12 days. The machines come in two models namely semi-automatic and automatic. The consumption of power is also less. 

Coffee Board member Nanda Belliappa said the Board provides subsidy for the machines which has the capacity of more than two tonne.