'Coffee package by October'

The coffee package will reach the growers by October, said Coffee Board President Javed Akter.

He was speaking to growers at Coffee Board extension centre at Arwathoklu on Wednesday.  The growers said the rift between humanbeing and wild elephants are on rise. “Coffee Board should direct the forest department to initiate action against the wild elephant menace,” he said.

The growers said forest department should initiate measures to grow bamboo, jack fruits trees in the forest.

There was no security for the coffee estates situated near the forest. The growers are losing crops due to elephant menace. The Coffee Board should provide financial assistance to purchase power tillers.

Coffee Board member Tara Ayyamma, grower M W Ayyappa, Coffee Board Research Director Dr Jayaram and others were present.