Indian Coffee Board Pushes New Tech to Boost Small Growers' Yields
New Technological Advancements for Indian Coffee Cultivation
The Coffee Board of India is set to introduce advanced technologies in coffee cultivation to enhance productivity and quality. This initiative aims to address labor shortages and improve infrastructure, particularly for small growers who constitute the majority of India's coffee producers. The technologies will focus on irrigation, fertigation, mechanization, and precision agriculture, helping to modernize the industry.Subsidies to Support Technological Adoption and Quality Upgradation
KG Jagadeesha, CEO and Secretary of the Coffee Board, announced an allocation of approximately $13,20 million for various developmental activities in the coffee sector. The Board will offer subsidies up to 40% on equipment costs related to fertigation, irrigation, and automation processes. This financial support will primarily target small growers with less than 10 hectares of land, who make up 98.8% of coffee holdings and 70% of the country's production, estimated at 3,50,000 tonnes annually.Promoting Mechanization and Setting Up a Model Farm for Small Growers
To facilitate mechanization, the Coffee Board has identified 25 machines, including weed cutters, that will be eligible for subsidies. A committee of stakeholders has been formed to ensure the right machinery is subsidized. Additionally, the Board plans to establish a model farm at the Coffee Research Sub Station in Chettalli, Kodagu, to demonstrate these technologies to small growers. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize farming practices and improve coffee quality at the grassroots level.Small Growers to Benefit Most, But Large Growers Also Included
The Board's focus remains on small growers, but subsidies could extend to larger growers if demand from smaller farms is insufficient. However, larger growers will receive a reduced subsidy rate of 25%. The Coffee Board's initiative is expected to significantly enhance the productivity and quality of Indian coffee, positioning it better in the global market.The Coffee Board of India’s latest initiative to subsidize new technologies for small growers is a strategic move to improve the quality and productivity of Indian coffee. With significant financial support and a focus on modern farming practices, the initiative is set to benefit the majority of coffee producers in the country, ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global market.