Create brand for coffee from Malnad: George

The coffee from Malnad is superior in its quality. There is a need to create a brand for coffee from Malnad and spread its fragrance across the world, said District In-charge Minister K J George.

Speaking at a coffee mela organised by Karnataka Growers’ Federation (KGF) here on Tuesday, he said,“Branding the coffee will help in providing value addition to the coffee. The Coffee Board should explore the possibility of branding the coffee from Manad.”

He said, “I am proud to be a coffee grower. I have knowledge of the problems faced by the growers. The Centre should respond to the woes of the coffee growers.”

The elected representatives should solve the problems faced by coffee and pepper growers, he added.

The minister said that growers should utilise water judiciously. Israel has converted desert into a green patch with the judicious use of water.

The coffee growers have been contributing to the green cover by cultivating shade trees in the coffee estates. The growers are affected with white borer disease affecting coffee plants, he added.

He said a delegation should be taken to the Union commerce minister and the finance minister to solve the problems faced by the growers.

Council deputy chairman S L Dharme Gowda was felicitated on the occasion.

‘Hill Bean’ and ‘Estate Monkeys’ brand coffee powders were released on the occasion and the website notjustcoffee.co was launched. Coffee by-products were also released on the occasion.

KGF President B S Jairam presided over the coffee mela. Coffee growers from Hassan, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru participated.