This spike, amidst stable Arabica pricing, signals a boon for Indian growers, leveraging robusta’s affordability.
India’s Robusta Coffee Prices Hit Record High in Century-Old Industry (Photo Source: Pexels.com)
India’s coffee industry is experiencing a remarkable upswing with robusta coffee bean prices hitting an all-time high of Rs 10,080 per 50 kg bag, a historic milestone since the establishment of coffee estates in the Western Ghats region during the 1860s by the British. This is big news for Indian coffee growers who rely on the Robusta given its low-cost inputs.
In stark contrast to the traditionally stable pricing of Arabica coffee, renowned for its velvety shot layer, Robusta prices have remained relatively low, fluctuating between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 per 50 kg bag for the past 15 years.
While export quantities witnessed a marginal decline of 2.5% at 3.88 lakh tonnes compared to 3.98 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, the Indian coffee sector reaped the benefits of soaring global robusta prices, which have reached a three-decade high due to supply disruptions in major producing countries like Vietnam and Brazil.
Commenting on this, Mr. M J Dinesh, Chairman of the Coffee Board says, “The change in the global temperature has impacted the shortage of coffee from Vietnam. The instant coffee market in India will gain from this; the same is gaining popularity too. Moreover, small coffee growers and laborers will reap the profit. They may witness an upsurge in their daily wages.”
The increase in robusta prices resulted in a 20% rise in per unit realization for Indian exporters, reaching ₹2.7 lakh per tonne during the 2023-24 period, up from ₹2.26 lakh in the previous fiscal year.
source: http://www.krishijagran.com / Krishi Jagran / Home> News / by Mrini Devnani / April 16th, 2024
Following severe drought condition in the State including Kodagu district, special puja was performed at Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple and Talacauvery, the birth place of River Cauvery in the district today, praying for a good spell of rain, said M.B. Devaiah, President of Sri Kaaveramme Kodava Amma Kodava Hitarakshana Charitable Trust.
Devaiah said, “Mother Cauvery should show mercy on us to come out of the present drought situation. The devotees, who came from various parts of the State have offered puja at Talacauvery.”
By performing puja, we prayed for rainfall and as per the advise of tantris (priests) we did yelaneeru (tender coconut) abhisheka during the puja. All the devotees took part in the puja rituals. Following drought in the State, people, livestock and wildlife are facing severe water scarcity. Kodagu had last witnessed such a severe drought condition in the year 1924. In the later years, the district had witnessed copious rainfall contributing to better agrarian output.
Now, we have been witnessing severe drought, leading to drying up of rivers and other water bodies. The Governments should be blamed for the current situation, for taking up massive deforestation by cutting trees arbitrarily in the name of development works. The people, livestock and animals are feeling the pinch, crying for water, said Devaiah. Prominent leaders of Sri Kaaveramme Kodava Amma Kodava Hitarakshana Charitable Trust Manu Muddappa, M.K. Aiyanna, Nandakumar, Somaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 03rd, 2024
Each device features four LED lights. The lights are positioned in pairs, in such a way that from a distance they look like a pair of glowing eyes of a predator, founder S R Ayan said.
Parabraksh installed in a farm in Kanakapura.
A Bengaluren has designed a lighting system to help farmers protect their crops and livestock from wildlife, during the night. The innovative product does not harm the wild animals. Katidhan, a five-member startup located on New BEL Road, recently won an investment of Rs 1.5 crore on business reality show, Shark Tank India.
On the show, its founder S R Ayan said farmers in India lose 30-50% of their crops to wildlife. The conventional methods to keep wild animals out include installing electrical fences, planting crude bombs or spraying chemicals. Citing the dangers of such interventions, he said an elephant in Chikkamagaluru died due to electrocution by an electric fence last November.
Ayan says his product, Parabraksh, mitigates the human-animal conflict in a “humane way”. Animals are afraid of other animals and the lighting system is built around this behavioural psychology. “Each device features four LED lights. The lights are positioned in pairs, in such a way that from a distance they look like a pair of glowing eyes of a predator. This scares away the animal.”
The product flashes light in random patterns. Being an autonomous device, it switches on in the dark and switches off as daylight breaks. It runs on solar power but also features a USB charging port for backup.
“Four such lights are needed to protect a farm land of 1 hectare, one in each corner. You can mount them on bamboo sticks or steel poles. The height of the stick or pole will depend on the size of the animal you are targeting,” Ayan adds.
He claims Parabraksh is “over 95%” effective in repelling wild boar, nilgai, elephant, tiger, leopard, and the Himalayan bear. He shares case studies: When these lights were uninstalled from a farm in Tamil Nadu and sent for servicing, elephants returned. For a woman farmer in Maharashtra, crop losses due to wild boars have gone down by 25%. The income of a farmer in Odisha has doubled since elephant invasion stopped.
Ayan says the demand for Parabraksh was more than what his bootstrapped startup could meet, that’s why he decided to raise funds through investors.
It all started with a friend’s SOS call in 2017. “My friend was volunteering with a wildlife organisation in Ladakh. He said villagers were trying to kill the snow leopard that was attacking their livestock. He knew about my background in product design and robotics and asked if I could help,” the 33-yearold recalls.
After a pilot in Ladakh, Parabraksh hit the market in 2020. “Our first taker was a large coffee estate in Kodagu,” he says. About 1,100 units, Rs 9,500 apiece, have been sold since. A majority of the products have been sold to farming and social development collectives in Maharashtra.
“After the show, I am getting enquiries from Kanakapura, Kodagu and Hassan, which see regular elephant movement,” he says.
Monkey chaser
Sensor-based Kapikaat is another product by Katidhan, priced at Rs 5,000 and up. It emits loud sounds to repel monkeys during day time. “It is 70-75 % effective. We reckon that monkeys can get used to the source of the sound and ignore it,” says Ayan.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka> Bengaluru / by Barkha Kumari / March 27th, 2024
Bird watching is one of the mediums to create awareness on environment conservation, said Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a Birder and Author from Virajpet in Kodagu.
He was speaking after receiving felicitation at ‘A Day with Salim Ali’ event jointly organised by Mysore Science Theatre Festival Trust, Kutuhali, NCF (National Curriculum Framework) and SVYM (Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement) at Kiru Rangamandira here on Saturday.
“We Indians have always understood the importance of environment since we are worshippers of nature and see divinity in all living beings. Students should learn about nature and its conservation,” he said. A doctor by profession, Dr. Narasimhan is perhaps known to many for his passion for birds.
Bird-watcher N.R. Harsha said renowned Ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali had conducted a research on birds between November, 1939 – February, 1940 in Mysuru region and that the recent research had shown the presence of 419 species of birds in Mysuru region.
“Mysuru region has 191 local species and witnesses 129 different species of migratory birds in winter season. In addition, 53 variety of local migratory birds are also spotted in our region. Among the various species of birds found in the country, Mysuru contributes about 30.7 percent and Karnataka contributes 76 percent,” he noted.
On the occasion, Kannada and English version of the book ‘Salim Ali – Wonder in the World of Birds’ (Salim Ali – Pakshi Lokada Beragu’) by Dr. M.C. Manohara/ Shashidhar Dongre were released. Artistes of Arivu Ranga staged a play while talks were delivered on ‘Salim Ali and Me’ by S. Subramanya, ‘Birds of Mysuru Region’ by N.R. Harsha and ‘Bringing Birds to People’ by Abhishek Krishnagopal.
Mysore Science Theatre Festival Trust Trustee Shashidhar Dongre, CFTRI Scientist (retd.) Kollegal Sharma, Suhail Khadar of NCF and Praveen of SVYM were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 25th, 2024
Price of robusta coffee has dropped due to supply shortage and global factors.
Farm workers harvesting coffee beans at a plantation in Wayanad district of Kerala. | Photo Credit: E.M. MANOJ
The robusta coffee farmers in south India are jubilant post-harvest with their produce fetching an all-time high price.
The farmgate price of raw robusta coffee berries touched a record ₹172 a kg in Wayanad market on Saturday, as against ₹115 a kg during the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, spot price of robusta coffee beans stood at ₹315 a kg, up from ₹210 during the same period in 2023. The price was ₹80 and ₹145 a kg for raw berries and beans respectively in March 2022.
Though the harvest is almost complete, there has been a huge shortfall in the supply of coffee to the market this year, thereby contributing to the increase in coffee prices, says sources.
Multiple factors
“We expect a decline of 30% in the production of robusta this year owing to climatic vagaries, especially the scanty blossom shower in robusta growing regions last year,” sources said.
A sharp decline in production of robusta coffee — nearly 2 million bags — in Vietnam, a major Robusta coffee growing country, has also attributed to the increase in price, the sources added. Robusta coffee production in Indonesia too dipped sharply this year, the sources added.
Notably, the price of Arabica variety of coffee has dropped below the price of robusta coffee. The farmgate price of the Arabica variety coffee was ₹305 per kg on Saturday. Though the Arabica variety always fetched a premium price in the market, it is the robusta variety that is witnessing an increase due to its low availability for the first time.
Farmers suspect that the production may decline by 25% to 30% next year too owing to a dearth of backup showers in many robusta coffee growing areas in the country.
Wayanad in Kerala, which is the largest robusta coffee producing district in the country after Coorg in Karnataka, received a rainfall of 29.3 mm in the first week of January. Major parts of the district received no rain since then.
The January showers helped in the blossoming of robusta coffee plants, farmers say. But the absence of backup showers, a major factor in the formation of berries, is a concern.
According to Coffee Board of India, the total production of coffee in the country during the 2022-23 fiscal was 3,52,000 tonnes, including 2,52,000 tons of robusta coffee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Kerala / by E M Manoj / March 24th, 2024
A conference on raising cinnamon under way at Horticultural Research Station, Thadiyankudisai, on the Kodaikanal hills. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT
India imports 30,000 tonnes of cassia and 1,200 tonnes of true cinnamon (Cinnamoum verum), a medicinally important tree species of subtropic regions, annually costing a foreign exchange of 850-1,000 crore rupees. With a view to tap the potential of true cinnamon cultivation as an intercrop in coffee plantations of lower Palani hills and coconut gardens on the foothills of western ghats, a one-day conference was organised at Horticultural Research Station, Thadiyankudisai on the Kodaiknal hill range, in Dindigul district under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme on February 29.
J.Rajangam, Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, who inaugurated the conference, said India produced only 57 tonnes of cinnamon against 3.7 lakh tonnes of global production. Cinnamon can be raised as one of the remunerative companion crops of coffee to yield additional income for farmers. Advanced cultivars suitable for coconut and coffee growing tracts. He also pointed that, timely
adoption of improved techniques for bumper cropping and scope for export.
S.Senthil Kumaran, Assistant Director, Spices Board, Bodinayakkanur, said that though India exported cinnamon valued at Rs. 67.40 crore during 2022-23, the imports were valued at Rs.72.16 crore. He highlighted the scope of cinnamon cultivation and export promotional activities offered by the Spices Board of India.
M. Jayakumar, Deputy Director of Regional Coffee Research Station, Thandikudi, spoke on the importance of cinnamon in profitable coffee farming under multi-tier cropping system.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Tamil Nadu / by The Hindu Bureau / March 05th, 2024
MLAs want encroached lands to be leased to large holders and sanction land to small holders
Bengaluru:
Encroachment of Government land by small coffee growers in the coffee-growing regions of Kodagu was discussed in the Legislative Assembly yesterday, where Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna appealed to the Government to permanently sanction the lands to their names as they are actively cultivating crops on those lands.
Participating in a discussion on the subject, Ponnanna said that small growers in Kodagu who are cultivating coffee and other crops in two to three acres of land are facing numerous problems.
“In certain areas, small coffee growers find themselves surrounded by large private plantations, with Government land in between that has been encroached upon. According to the law, land can be leased out for up to 25 acres. Large Government lands encroached upon by major growers should be leased out by the Government,” he said.
“However, small-scale growers, who only have two to three acres of land and have encroached upon small portions of Government land, require a permanent solution. The Government should sanction the encroached land in their names to provide them with a permanent relief about their holdings,” Ponnanna explained.
Earlier, Sakleshpur MLA ‘Cement’ Manju mentioned that during the tenure when R. Ashoka served as the Revenue Minister in the previous BJP Government, a decision was made to lease the encroached Government land to coffee growers for a duration of 30 years. Unfortunately, due to a change in Government, this decision was not put into action. Therefore, he urged the Government to resume the process of leasing the land for a period of 30 years.
Later, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda raised questions regarding why the BJP Government did not implement the leasing of land to coffee growers for 30 years. He emphasised the importance of discussing pending applications, particularly the 53rd and 57th applications, which have been awaiting decisions for 20-25 years.
He expressed satisfaction with leasing the land to Race Courses and Clubs for 30 years and wanted similar leasing to coffee growers to get permanent ownership by approving the 53rd and 57th applications. He cautioned that leasing land for 30 years could lead to future problems for the growers and suggested considering leasing the land for 99 years instead.
Intervening in the discussion, Speaker U.T. Khader said approval of land up to 3 acres for the poor could offer a permanent solution to the issue at hand.
At this point, Dr. Mantar Gowda’s father, A. Manju, who is also the JD(S) MLA from Arkalgud, intervened, questioning why the Government was hesitating to lease land to farmers while providing it for Race Courses, Resorts and Clubs.
“Why there is a delay in approving the land lease when it comes to farmers? The law prohibits leasing out land for more than 30 years. Can you take back encroached land from cultivators? It is not possible. I suggest leasing out the land to encroachers. This way, the Government would earn revenue and the lessees would benefit as well. They would also help conserve forests and contribute to the environment, he added.
Later, MLA A.S. Ponnanna spoke, urging to sanction the encroached land for small-scale coffee growers as well as to provide land for lease to large coffee growers.
What are 50th, 53rd and 57th applications?
The Bagar Hukum system, established by the State Revenue Department, requires applicants to submit Form 57 for the legalisation of agricultural land.
The Bagar Hukum scheme traces its origins back to 1980 when the Government allocated two acres of land to landless farmers for agricultural activities. However, the beneficiaries of this scheme did not receive the title deed for the land they cultivated.
Subsequently, applications were invited in the forms of Form 50 (1991), Form 53 (1999) and Form 57 (2018) under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964. The application window extended until April 2023, exclusively for those who have been engaged in cultivation for the past 15 years.
According to Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, who raised the issue in the Assembly, all the applications received in Form 50, Form 53 and Form 57 are pending since the last 25 years. If these applications are approved, growers can gain permanent ownership over the land.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 23rd, 2024
Coorg district, Karnataka, famed for its greenery, faces severe water scarcity. Kushalanagar taluk, hit hardest, endanger both humans and wildlife. Shrinking water sources force wild animals into villages, disrupting livelihoods. Forest officer Ratan Kumar highlights the need for contingency plans amid the crisis.
Coorg district in Karnataka, renowned for its lush greenery and diverse wildlife, is currently grappling with a severe water crisis. As the region experiences a prolonged dry spell, both human inhabitants and wild animals are facing acute shortages of drinking water.
Kushalanagar taluk, In particular, nestled amidst semi-mountainous terrain, has been hit hard by the relentless absence of rainfall. The dire situation has led to concerns not only for the local populace but also for the myriad species of wildlife inhabiting the area.
Covering a vast expanse of 24,278.88 hectares, the forests of Kushalanagar Zone, including reserves like Dubare and Anekadu, are home to a rich assortment of animals and birds, including tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, and sambar. Traditionally reliant on water sources such as the Kaveri River, Chiklihole Reservoir, and Harangi Reservoir, these creatures now find themselves confronting parched landscapes. The Kaveri River has dwindled to a mere trickle, while the Chiklihole Reservoir stands desiccated, leaving behind barren canals.
Within the forested areas, a handful of lakes remain, albeit with diminishing water levels. The scorching sun, with temperatures averaging between 29 to 30 degrees Celsius, poses a grave threat as it hastens the evaporation of these remaining water bodies.
The repercussions of this water scarcity extend beyond the confines of the forests. With wild animals compelled to seek sustenance elsewhere, instances of encroachment into nearby villages and coffee plantations have surged. Farmers, reliant on these plantations for their livelihoods, now face disruptions in their daily activities, compounded by labour shortages as workers are deterred by the unpredictable presence of wild animals.
Responding to inquiries, Ratan Kumar, the Forest Officer for Kushalanagar Zone, maintains that there is no immediate shortage of water within his jurisdiction. However, he acknowledges the pressing need for contingency plans should the situation worsen.
source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Asianet Newsable / Home> English News> Karnataka / by Vinay Kumar Patil / February 20th, 2024
Unique rural wedding: Peepal tree and gooseberry sapling united in matrimony for village welfare.
A peepal tree and a gooseberry sapling being married off at Kadagadalu village of Madikeri taluk on Monday
Madikeri :
Hundreds participated in a unique wedding ceremony hosted in the rural part of Kodagu. A tree and a sapling were wedlocked in a spiritual matrimony as the residents prayed for the welfare of their village.
A peepal tree and a gooseberry sapling were married off in a ritualistic ceremony at Kadagadalu village of Madikeri taluk. The rituals were hosted for the welfare of the village under the guidance of a priest from Kasaragod district. The wedding ceremony was organized by the Botlappa Youth Association of the village.
The association was established in the village in 1993. As it completed 10 years in 2003, the members planted a peepal tree in the village premises as it was bestowed a spiritual status, the association members shared. In 2012, as per the advise of an astrologer, they carried out a thread ceremony for the peepal tree when it turned nine years old. The astrologer had also suggested that the tree be married when it turns 21 years.
It is believed that deities Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma reside within the Peepal tree, which is associated to great sacrosanct values in rural areas. While Peepal tree was personified as a groom, a saree was draped around the gooseberry sapling and ‘kanya dhana’ and other rituals were observed in par with the Hindu wedding.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / Express News Service / February 06th, 2024
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda chairing a meeting of his department in Madikeri on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Minister for Revenue Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday asked the district administration in Kodagu to conduct a survey of Jamma Bane land in the district. The survey was pending for many decades and the Jamma Bane landholders needed a pahani (RTC). In this connection, the authorities have to take steps for conducting the survey, he added.
The Minister was speaking during a meeting in Madikeri in connection with various issues concerning the Revenue Department. The Revenue Department related works were also reviewed by the Minister.
Since the Jamma Bane land holders do not have RTCs, they were not getting loans from banks and also facilities from the government. The people engaged in farming need to be given the RTCs. Therefore, the survey work has to be taken up, the Minister told the officers in categorical terms.
As many as 25,000 people in Kodagu are engaged in agriculture in Jamma Bane land. The land was in the name of one person in the land holder’s family. Others in the family also needed RTCs. So, survey of the land holds the key, the Minister argued.
If there was any dispute in connection with the land, the survey can be taken up directly of the respective land. The matter can be placed in the gram sabha and a solution can be found with the help of the local villagers, Mr. Gowda suggested.
The Minister said the Jamma Bane land survey has to be taken up on a war-footing, and added that the tahsildar and the assistant director of land records have to expedite the work, roping in additional surveyors for the tasks.
The Minister said the latest gadgets will be provided for the survey work. The licenced surveyors can be used for the task. The work has to be completed at the earliest, the Minister told the district administration.
A report can be prepared (after the survey) for addressing any issue over the land. Thereafter, an order from the government will be issued for issuing the RTCs, Mr. Gowda said.
A permanent solution has to be found to the issue as the government was committed to providing additional surveyors and the gadgets for completing the survey work.
He advised the officers to overcome the opinion that the Revenue Department and the Land Records Department were different. This is a joint survey which needs to be done by both the departments, Mr. Gowda asked.
The tahsildars, deputy tahsildars, village accountants, revenue officers, assistant commissioners and all in the department have to work as a team and get the survey done. The government hoped to extend facilities to Kodagu farmers and sanction relief. In this regard, the problems need to be addressed at the earliest.
The first instalment of crop loss relief has to be given to farmers in the district. If any names are missing, they will be incorporated and relief will be extended to them too.
The Minister told the authorities not to mismanage the drought funds and drinking water needs to be provided to all the households during summer.
MLAs Mantar Gowda and A.S. Ponnana were present.
Deputy Directors of Land Records Srinivas said Kodagu has 24 licensed surveyors besides 15 government surveyors.
Tahsildar Praveen Kumar said there have been disputes with regard to the Jamma Bane land. While the cases are being settled in some places, the parties are not coming forward in some places for settling the disputes.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / February 05th, 2024
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