Monthly Archives: October 2015

B’luru MP announces Rs.10 lakh for Conservation of Kodagu Mandhs

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature
Mandya MP C.S. Puttaraju is seen addressing the gathering at the valedictory of ‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ padayatra at Kodava Samaja in Bengaluru yesterday.
Mandya MP C.S. Puttaraju is seen addressing the gathering at the valedictory of ‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ padayatra at Kodava Samaja in Bengaluru yesterday.

Bengaluru :

Rajya Sabha member from Bengaluru, Kupendra Reddy, has promised Rs. 10 lakh for conservation of Kodagu mandhs and revival of paddy cultivation across Kodagu district, said Mandya MP C.S. Puttaraju at the valedictory of ‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ padayatra at Kodava Samaja in Vasanthnagar here yesterday.

Puttaraju said that he was authorised to announce this by MP Kupendra Reddy, who is currently in USA, on his behalf.

Stating that Reddy has announced Rs. 10 lakh for UKO’s cause as the first instalment, Puttaraju said Reddy has promised more funds for UKO’s various plans.

Stating that the people of Mandya were always indebted to river Cauvery, which originates in Kodagu, Puttaraju assured of extending all support for the protection of Kodava land, culture and its environment.

UKO Convenor Kokkalemada Manju Chinnappa, in his address, said that the funds provided by Kupendra Reddy will be utilised for conservation of Kodagu mandhs and other programmes. He also said that Puttaraju has handed over Rs. 10 lakh grant to UKO as the first instalment as promised by Reddy.

Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairperson Shantheyanda Veena Achaiah, former MLC Cheppudira Arun Machaiah, Kodagu District Congress President Biddatanda T. Pradeep, former Kodagu District BJP President Machimada M. Ravindra, Federation of Kodava Samajas President Mallengada Dada Belliappa, Bengaluru Kodava Samaja President Mandeda Ravi Uthappa, Vice-President Mukkatira Vani Nanaiah, Secretary Chennapanda Subbaiah, actress Prajwal Poovaiah, Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Moovera Shambu Pemmaiah, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja Secretary Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah, Kodava Sahitya Academy President Biddatanda S. Thammaiah, UKO office-bearers and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Generla News / Monday – October 05th, 2015

Farmer on Padayatra to Bengaluru to ensure Kodagu remains green

Agriculture, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Manju Chinnappa and team began walking from Talacauvery to Bengaluru to stress need to save the district’s ecosystem.

ManjuChinnappaKF04oct2015

This farmer has been walking for 11 days to take his fight against environment degradation in Kodagu district. Manju Chinnappa, 37, started his padayatra from Talacauvery on September 18. Chinnappa, a native of Hudikeri, started the movement after severe drought that affected Virajpete this year. A Bcom graduate, Chinnappa says, “Even from my early days, I wanted to work towards the preservation of the culture and tradition of my motherland. Over the years, the district has seen several atrocities on land, deforestation and cultural aggression. The main aim of this walkathon is to bring to the attention of the social and economic problems that Kodagu district faces today. I hope it motivates people to preserve the culture and sanctity of the native people.”

Chinnappa has managed to cover close to 25 kms everyday and en route he is celebrated by the people of that particular village who walk with him for a few kilometres to express their support. On Monday, he reached Mysuru. He also gives awareness talks on how to keep the heritage of the district alive.

A founder of the United Kodava Organisation that was formed in 2011 to focus on preserving the environment and heritage of the place, he says, “We know merely submitting a resolution to the state government might not bring much change. We wanted to make a noise through this padayatra to get the attention of as many people as possible. We hope to reach Bengaluru by October 4 and we want to submit a memorandum to the chief minister regarding our demands.” His plan is to cover a distance of 414 km considering he has taken a route inside Kodagu within the villages to spread his message. After reaching Bengaluru, the final leg will start at 9 am from Jnanabharathi campus (Bangalore University) where the local Kodava population will join him in the walk up to 20 kms that will culminate at the Kodava Samaja in Vasantha Nagar. The local Kodavas will come in their traditional dress to show their support to Chinnappa.
Chinnappa says, “In the name of tourism, several trees are being removed which has harmed the people living in that region. Our main resolution is to put pressure on authorities to stop the conversion of wetland not only in Kodagu but across the state. Many infrastructure plans by the state government have destroyed the ecology of the district completely and we want to draw everybody’s attention to this.”

The Kodava community in the city is all set to welcome Chinnappa. They have also started a Facebook page to update the information of padayatra from time to time.

Children are also taking part
Children are also taking part

Route plan

Talakaveri-Igguthappa Temple-Madikeri-Bayarambada-Virajpet-Gonnikoppa-Anechowkur-Hunsur bypass- Mysuru-Srirangapatna-Mandya-Chennapatna-Bidadi-Jnanabharathi-Kodava Samaj, Bengaluru

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Vandana Kamath, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 30th, 2015

Colombia coffee producers face crisis due to ‘El Niño’ water shortages

Coffee News, World Opinion

Colombia’s coffee production is predicted to fall 18% for the second half of the year amid water shortages caused by the “El Niño” weather phenomenon.

This warning comes as latest coffee production figures show an increase of 16% for September compared to the same month last year, with a total of 1 million 60-kg bags, reported Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, the FNC.

FNC chief Roberto Velez reported, “the subject of coffee, for many reasons has brought zero profits, or even negative, regarding revenues there have always been problems of climate change, labor and fertilizer, which generally increase the costs.”

Velez said that while coffee production levels so far this year have been strong, however, predictions are that 18% of coffee produced in the second half of the coffee will be lost due to “EL Niño.” The drought will also have negative effects on the quality of the beans produced.

The chief reported a “fragile equation” in the balance between costs of production and growth of coffee, something that most affects small and medium growers sensitive to changes in the market.

The “El Niño” weather phenomenon is affecting northern and western regions of the country since this February, and is set to reach new levels of intensity. The weather event has caused water shortages resulting in high losses for agriculture and livestock.

The FNC has worked aggressively since the late 1950s to bring Colombian coffee to the number two spot for global production, second only to Brazil. However, in recent times a booming business from Vietnam has overtaken the country and Colombia is now the third largest coffee producer in the world.

source: http://www.colombiareports.com / Colombia Reports / Home> Economy / posted by Emma Rosser / October 10th, 2015

‘Use Indian coffee products to promote local growers’

Business & Economy, Coffee News

The Indian coffee would get a better price if we stop depending on foreign countries and start using more coffee products of Indian origin, said Central Coffee Research Centre Director Dr Y Raghuramulu.

He was speaking at a programme organised at the Navodaya Vidyalaya in town as part of the International Coffee Day celebrations on Thursday.

“In America, the average consumption of coffee by a person is four to five kg a year. In India, however, it is barely 100 gm. The consumption is increasing by six per cent every year,” he said and added that Brazil had created awareness among children about use of coffee about 10 years ago. “As a result, Brazil stands second in the list of countries that are the highest consumers of coffee in the world,” he said.

The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) has called upon all coffee-growing nations to celebrate Coffee Day on October 1 every year, to protect the interest of coffee growers and nations. “From next year onwards, the day would be celebrated with road shows and various other programmes,” he said.

‘Chicory is good’
Dr Raghuramulu claimed that chicory is good for health and a maximum of 49 per cent of chicory can be added to the coffee powder.

“The carbohydrate content of chicory makes the coffee a bit thicker. Chicory is usually grown in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and few other states. It is also used in the production of biscuits,” he said.

In his inaugural speech, Sahyadri Coffee Growers’ Association President M S Sundaresh Gowda said that the imagination behind Coffee Day would help the growers. The market for coffee can be extended by creating awareness about the drink in North India, he added.

Meanwhile, ‘Coffee Karma’, a 20-minute documentary on the birth of coffee was screened at Navodaya Vidyalaya hall. An exhibition was held as a part of Coffee Day on different coffee species, possible diseases, pesticides and other things. More than 1,500 people watched the documentary and free coffee was served to all.

Balehonnur JCI President Dayakar N Suvarna, Navodaya Vidyalaya Principal K Rameereddy, Coffee Board scientists were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Balehonnur / DHNS – October 02nd, 2015