The recent reports from the planters’ community indicate a potential decline in India’s coffee production this harvest season, ending January. The data predicts a sharp 30% drop for Arabica coffee and 20% for Robusta coffee. This article will delve into the key factors contributing to these projected declines, the history and cultivation of coffee in India, and the major varieties grown on Indian soil.
Current Challenges Faced by Coffee Producers
Several challenges pose threats to the current coffee production season. Prominent among them are excessive rainfall and escalating production costs.
Excessive rainfall has resulted in plant damage, bean splitting, and berry dropping, consequently impacting the coffee output. The coffee-growing regions of India have been experiencing extended rains due to depression and low-pressure areas in the Bay, creating difficulties for the on-going harvest of Arabicas, particularly in the drying and spreading of beans in the yards.
Further compounding the problem are the increasing production costs. The prices of fertilizers and labor have risen significantly, expected to erode growers’ gains from increased prices and deter investment in production.
Historical Account of Coffee in India
Coffee’s journey in India began in the late seventeenth century when an Indian pilgrim smuggled seven beans from Yemen and planted them in the Chandragiri hills of Karnataka. Despite smuggling coffee seeds from Arabia being illegal at the time, the tradition persevered, and with the aid of the Dutch, who occupied much of India throughout the 17th century, cultivation spread across the country. However, it was during the British Raj in the mid-nineteenth century that commercial coffee farming truly thrived.
Significant Aspects of Coffee Cultivation in India
Indian coffee is characterized by its cultivation methodology and contribution to biodiversity. It is grown under the thick canopies in ecologically sensitive areas of the Western and Eastern Ghats, one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. Coffee is a major export commodity, with 65% – 70% of India’s coffee production being shipped overseas, while the remaining serves the domestic market.
Climatic Conditions and Soil Types for Coffee Cultivation
Coffee plants prefer a hot and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 15-28°C. Ideal rainfall varies between 150 cm to 250 cm without the presence of stagnant water and at elevations from 600 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Dry weather during the time of berry ripening and well-drained, loamy soil rich in humus and minerals such as iron and calcium are also crucial for coffee cultivation.
Coffee Production across India and Main Varieties
Traditionally, Indian coffee is grown in the Western Ghats spread over Karnataka (the largest producer, accounting for 70% of total coffee output), Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. New cultivation areas are emerging in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and North East states.
The main varieties grown are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is a mild coffee with more aromatic beans and higher market value. However, it requires intensive care and is susceptible to pests and diseases such as White Stem Borer and leaf rust. Robusta, on the other hand, has a robust flavor and can be grown irrespective of the farm size. It also requires less shade than Arabica.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024