'Rains to hit coffee output'

UPASI cites splitting of coffee beans as cause for worry

Unseasonal rainfall during coffee harvest is impacting the coffee production in India, according to Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman K Kurian.

Briefing reporters here on Tuesday, Kurian said Karnataka (2,33,230 million tonnes), the largest coffee growing region, and Tamil Nadu (17,875 million tonnes) are witnessing incessant rains over the last few days and many places have reported dropping of seeds across Arabica plantations.

Kurian explains, “This leads to splitting of the coffee bean and dropping of the berries to the ground. Now, we have to pick the berries from the ground rather than from the bush. In many instances, the seed is lost. As a result, there is a potential damage to Arabica crop this year.”

The coffee production in crop year 2015-16 might be lower than the earlier projections due to the occurrence of cyclonic rains. Though it is too early to predict the exact quantum, Kurian added.

The total area under cultivation in India is 4,09,690 hectares, of which 2,29,658 hectares is in Karnataka — 56.1 per cent of the total area. Of the total coffee produced in India, 70 per cent is exported and 30 per cent is consumed locally.

Kurian added, “India is producing coffee since 100 years, but a country like Vietnam, which started producing coffee since the last 15 years, has become second-largest producer in the world. Now, India has slipped to seventh position from sixth. Columbia has managed to introduce new varieties of coffee that have higher yield and quality. Moreover, resistance to pests and diseases have helped the older varieties.”Under the 12th plan, Coffee Board has received Rs 150 crore for research and development (R&D).

Kurian said, “We need more research to produce new coffee varieties which will give high yield and more resistance to pest and diseases.”