Monthly Archives: January 2018

A walk down coorg’s lane

The cuisine has evolved with locally produced fresh ingredients that are available in the region, hunting and foraging.

The cuisine has evolved with locally produced fresh ingredients that are available in the region, hunting and foraging.
The cuisine has evolved with locally produced fresh ingredients that are available in the region, hunting and foraging.

Slow-cooked meat and heaps of Kachampuli or vinegar, gives coorgi cuisine its own, unique identity, setting it apart from food from other parts of South India.

Situated in the heart of Karnataka, Coorg is not just home to breathtaking views and a beautiful weather, but also to the famed Coorg cuisine. The cuisine has evolved with locally produced fresh ingredients that are available in the region, hunting and foraging.

Make no mistake; Coorgi cuisine is completely different from that of its neighbouring state of Kerala. It’s far more rustic, and less refined, with its own ambrosial personality.

The preferred style of cooking is mainly slow cooking in primitive pottery, in earthenwares. Most food is prepared with a few key ingredients because of the climatic conditions of Coorg. Pork — especially wild boar — and Kachampuli, or Coorgi vinegar, are the most commonly used ingredients. Interestingly, the meats are cooked over slow flame using their fats, instead of oil. Kachampuli is a strong and viscous variety of syrup, derived from Kodambuli, a fruit. The vinegar offsets the acidic taste and adds a characteristic flavour to the dishes.

However, given that the cuisine isn’t as well known to most of the country, there are various myths about Coorgi cuisine that people believe. Many are under the assumption that coffee can be used to prepare Coorgi food, which is incorrect. Neither does Kerala have any kind of influence on their cuisine.

Unfortunately, because the cuisine is yet to be explored on a mass scale, it’s not had much of an impact in India. By increasing awareness of this cuisine amongst gourmet diners, especially about its imperative flavours and uniqueness, Coorgi cuisine will finally have its day in the sun.

CoorgFood02KF28jan2018

Kadambuttu (Steamed rice dumplings)

INGREDIENTS
1 cup Broken rice rava
2 cups Water
½ tsp Salt
Some butter
A few fenugreek seeds, roasted and powdered

METHOD
Boil the water with salt. For one measure of broken rice, take two measures of water.
Add the fine broken rice rava and stir continuously, so that no lumps are formed. Add fenugreek powder.
Keep stirring till rava is cooked, and all the water is absorbed. It should leave the mixture with a dough-like consistency.
The process will take 30 minutes. Remove from fire and allow it to cool.
Spread out on a plate and knead it a little with greased palms.
Roll it into lime sized round balls between your palms, rubbing a little melted butter to it.
Wrap up these balls in a damp muslin cloth, and steam for 10-15 minutes.
Kadambuttu is best served with Pandi Curry.
CoorgFood03KF28jan2018


Pandi Curry (Pork Curry)

INGREDIENTS
1 kg Pork
1 tsp Chilli powder
1 tsp Turmeric powder
400 gm Onion, chopped
50 gm Ginger
50 gm Garlic
10 nos Bird’s eye chilli
50 gm Coriander leaves
4 tbsp Coorgi pork masala powder
3 tbsp Kachampuli
Salt to taste

METHOD
Cut the pork into medium-sized pieces. Wash and smear them with turmeric, chilly powder and salt.
Coarse grind the chillies, onions, ginger, garlic and coriander.
Sauté the marinated meat in a vessel slightly.
Add the green masala and a cup of hot water to it. n Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, so that the masala is completely absorbed by the meat.
When almost cooked, add the powdered spice masala. If cooking in a pressure cooker, you can add the spice masala at the beginning, but in an open vessel, you can add it later.
Simmer and allow it to cook; the colour will keep getting darker.
After the meat is well cooked (dark blackish-brown in appearance, with a slight glaze), add the Kachampuli and remove from the fire.
There should be a thick gravy for the curry.

CoorgFood04KF28jan2018

Mudre Pajji (Horsegram chutney)

INGREDIENTS
100 gm Horsegram
50 gm Dry coconut
2 tbsp Onions, chopped
3 nos Dry red chilli
A small ball of Tamarind Salt, to taste

For tempering:
5 gm Mustard seeds
20 ml Oil
10 nos Curry leaves
2 nos Dry red chilli

METHOD:
Dry roast horsegram in a pan till it is reddish brown. When it starts popping, it indicates that it’s almost done. Remove from the fire.
Once the horsegram is cold, add it to a food processor. Put in the rest of the ingredients and process well.
Take the coarse paste and transfer it to a bowl.
Add to it tempered mustard, curry leaves and red chillies.

Saurabh is the head chef of Massive Restaurants

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Age on Sunday / by Saurabh Udinia / January 28th, 2018

Harmony is essence of republic: M R Seetharam

Kodagu District In-charge minister M R Seetharam receives the guard of honour during the Republic Day event in Madikeri on Friday.
Kodagu District In-charge minister M R Seetharam receives the guard of honour during the Republic Day event in Madikeri on Friday.

The state government is committed to the development of the state and is working relentlessly, surpassing the barriers of caste, religion and language, said District-In-charge Minister M R Seetharam.

He was speaking after hoisting the Indian flag during the Republic day celebrations at General Thimmaiah ground in Madikeri on Friday.

The Indian Constitution upholds the value of ‘unity in diversity’. The contribution of Dr B R Ambedkar and others in providing us with a written constitution will be remembered by all the generations to come, he said.

The lives of the general public hold utmost importance for the government. Harmony and brotherhood is the mantra of development. Thoughts of people in a secular country should be based on secularism and equality, he said. All must take a pledge to respect the constitutional values, he said.

M R Seetharam said that during his recent visit to the district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had initiated projects worth Rs 122 crore. 94,011 families have been benefited by Anna Bhagya scheme in the district. 5514 and 799 people have been provided with title deeds under 94 C and 94 CC respectively. The construction work of 528 houses for Diddalli evacuees is on. Around 8,200 families of Jenu Kuruba and Erava Soliga communities are being provided with nutritious food. Forest Rights have been provided to 1,392 forest dwellers.

The minister further said that Indira Canteen will be set up in Somvarpet, Madikeri and Virajpet.

Troupes from DAR Police, Civil Police, Home Guards, MFC College, Koodige Sainik School, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Government PU College, Government High School, General Thimmaiah School and St Micheal High Schools carried out a march past on the occasion.

MLC Veena Acchaiah, Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish, CMC President Kaveramma Somanna and Deputy Commissioner P I Srividya were present among others.

Schoolchildren presented cultural programmes on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service, Madikeri / January 26th, 2018

7th India International Coffee Festival 2018 reflects on experiential tourism in Karnataka

7th edition of India International Coffee Festival 2018 hosted at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru saw a host of activities including the coffee workshops, exhibition, keynote sessions, Fireside chat with Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT, BT and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Coffee Quiz Competition for Coffee enthusiasts ending the day with Café Awards ceremony.

IndiaCoffeeExbn31jan2018

The day started with workshops on ‘Role of sustainability in Post-Harvest Processing Equipment to secure the right quality, type and quantity of coffee.’ The session was led by Carlos Brando and Joao Alberto Peres Brando from Pea Marketing Ltd.

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT, BT and Tourism, Government of Karnatakagraced the occasion and attended a fireside chat session along with Mr. Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust where he emphasized on experiential tourism.“Today people want to experience and learn from their outings, hence experiential tourism is leading to a lot of buzz around homestays. We have offline and online strategies in place and are ready to build infrastructure and jointly manage it with associations. We have opened up 11 new eco-trails that will benefit the homestays and provide exhilarating experience to travelers,” said Shri Priyank Kharge while addressing the gathering.

He further said that, “I am privileged to have a unique opportunity to bring together information technology and biotech to further tourism in the state. I urge the startup fraternity and innovators to come forward with solutions that will help us build a sustainable tourism ecosystem in Karnataka.”

Commenting on this occasion, Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust said,“This year the festival focused on skill-building workshops, showcase of products and services, key sessions by delegates on Global Coffee Outlook and Future of Indian Coffee Sector.”

“The Indian coffee sector is growing at a rapid pace. And to sustain this growth, the dependence on government subsidies needs to come to an end,” said Shri Srivatsa Krishna, IAS, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, Coffee Board of India.

Also, addressing a keynote session here, Jose Dauster Sette, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization said, “India is the sixth place in internal coffee consumption. In future by 2050, the production of world coffee might further decrease due to factors such as climate change that facilitates spread of pests and diseases. Both Arabica and Robusta are also negatively affected by the climate change.”

source: http://www.everythingexperiential.in / Everything Experiential – Business World / Home / by EE News Desk / January 24th, 2018

Subsidies way out: Coffee Board tells planters

Bengaluru (UNI):

Subsidies to planters from the government might not be renewed and Coffee planters need to look inward and adopt to newer technologies and strategies to enhance the quality and quantity of Indian Coffee, Srivatsa Krishna, CEO and Secretary of the Coffee Board said on Thursday.

Speaking at the plenary session of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) here, he said the Board had recommended continuation of only two types of subsidies to the sector and it was up to the government to approve them or not.

He said that the Coffee Board is making every effort to enhance both production and quality of Indian Coffee. But the planters need to embrace innovative methods and information technology for their own well being and should reduce dependence on the government.

Mr Krishna said the Karnataka government had also initiated inquiry into allegations of coffee planters encroaching government and forest land to increase their acreage.

He said that the Coffee Board will initiate a branding exercise for Coffee in the second quarter of 2018. It had held consultations with some top branding companies and highlighted the need for securing GI tag for some specific premium brand of Coffee to ensure that the Indian Coffee is known world over.

The Coffee Board Secretary said considerable efforts have been made to enhance the productivity of coffee from 500 kg per hectare to one tonne per hectare, but still more inclusive approaches should be taken by the planters to further increase the productivity and go in for premium coffees to enhance exports.

MORE UNI CNR MSP CS 1506

source: http://www.uniindia.com / UNI, United News of India / Home> Business Economy / Bengaluru – January 18th, 2018

Anita Cariappa bags nataka academy award

Madikeri:

Anita Cariappa of Kodagu, has bagged the Karnataka Nataka Academy award for the year 2006-07 for her contribution to the field.

She is the wife of stage artiste and founder of “Sristi” theatre in Kodagu, Addanda Cariappa. Ms. Cariappa is a product of the “Neenasam” and a postgraduate in Kannada.

She is the recipient of many awards relating to Kannada and Kodava theatre.

Ms. Cariappa had been a member of the Karnataka Nataka Academy.

She has acted in Kodava films, such as “Bal Polandat” and the national award-winning movie “Hasina”, apart from acting in television serials.

N.S. Deviprasad, who also hails from Kodagu, who has organised various theatre activities in the district, has been selected for the Suvarna Karnataka award from the academy, according to information reaching here.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / July 11th, 2007

A rush of Caf Feine

The International Coffee Festival brings growers, sellers, and lovers together in the same mug

CaffeineKF20jan2018

Coffee love is serious love, and Bengaluru knows how to keep up with it. Just last month, Coffee Santhe celebrated your favourite brew with a three-day carnival. It had the best estates in India showcasing their blends and coffee-related demonstrations to coffee-related food and art.

Cut to the present. Coffee love is hogging the limelight yet again, thanks to the ongoing India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2018. The expo, which is in its seventh edition, organised by India Coffee Trust – an NGO formed by various stakeholders of the Indian coffee fraternity, is on till Friday. And the event is dotted with different kinds of activities – from panel discussions to exhibitions by various growers.

Today, for instance, you can flaunt your knowledge of coffee at a quiz. Or, sit down for a workshop about the ‘Role of Sustainability in Post-Harvest Processing with the Right Processing Equipment to Secure the Right Quality, Type and Quantity of Coffee’ by Carlos Brando of Pea Marketing.

Over two days, you can listen to coffee experts and policy-makers talk about the trends in the coffee market, innovation in the production and packaging segment, startups making coffee ‘cooler’, alternate brewing techniques, and how to turn India into a ‘Coffee Nation’.

Jose Sette, executive director of International Coffee Organization, will speak about ‘Global Coffee Outlook – addressing challenges to meet future demand’; Dr Joseph K Kimemia, chairman of African Fine Coffee Association, will talk about ‘Initiatives on Promotion of African Coffee’; Dr Peter Baker, director of Climate Edge UK, will share his thoughts about ‘The Changing Climate for Coffee – farming in a time of extremes’; Sanjay Khajuria, senior VP (Corporate Affairs), Nestle India, will discuss the topic ‘Creating Shared Value –
How responsible business and communities work together’. The fest will also felicitate the best in the business.

Anil Kumar Bhandari, president of the India Coffee Trust, says that the coffee industry owes a lot to the country’s café culture that has grown rapidly in the past decade or so. “I need to give a little background into this festival. We started this expo in 2002, which begun in tacit with the Coffee Board, commerce industry, and ICT. However, we never asked for funds from the government because we didn’t want the show to come with strings attached.

There are only 4-5 large corporate houses that are part of this trust. Initially, it was started by a bunch of coffee growers like me, and the idea was to generate domestic consumption of coffee, and to help the growers market their coffee better. In India, 98 per cent of coffee growers are small, which means they farm on less than 10 acres. Now in 2002, the industry across the world suffered a massive slump because the global market was saturated. There was no strength in the industry to combat this deep depression. It is at that time that we considered generating a new idea – something that will increase domestic consumption – instead of the going to the government to ask for waivers and subsidies.” And this where cafes have come into play.

However Bhandari also adds that the coffee drinking habit remains mostly out of home, but “yes, it created a whole new lifestyle. Before the modern version of cafes, the smaller places had no focus, no identity, barring a few landmark places.”

Yes, the expo is quite industry-oriented. It is an ideal networking ground for people engaged in the growth, production, packaging, and promotion of coffee, or are planning to make a career switch in the direction. Nonetheless, platforms such as these provide common man a chance to learn what goes into bringing their latte, espresso, cappuccino, or the humble filter coffee to their tables.

Besides these talks and coffee quiz, an exhibition is being held across two halls – Kalinga 1 and Siddhartha. On showcase are a range of coffee beans and blends, with Coffee Board of India itself displaying and selling 15 varieties (light, medium, and dark) hailing from Coorg to Chikmagalur, Araku Valley, Nilgiris and Wayanad. Plus, you can sift through coffee filters, including a cute, ceramic one. Needless to say, there’s a lot of coffee for you to sip on, from the regular instant brews to the speciality. Moreover, a few vendors will also teach you the method to making a cuppa of your choice.

Two stalls are interesting. One is selling coffee paintings – painting with coffee powder (see pic on left). It is the handiwork of Himabindu, an IT professional who’s currently on sabbatical. She has put up 30 paintings, and had managed to sell quite a few by Wednesday afternoon. The second one will have you scratch your head as it promises to print your selfie on coffee broth. The set-up will be fully operational today.

If you want to take your coffee expertise a notch up, you can enquire about the ‘Q Grader Arabica Training & Certification’ programme, which will take off towards the end of February. Or drive down to coffee estates in the state and learn about the bean-to-cup process there. You can get information at the tourism stalls.

Catch IICF 2018, January 18-19, at The Lalit Ashok, Kumara Krupa High Grounds Details: iicf.in

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Entertainment> Lounge / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / January 18th, 2018

Want to make India a ‘coffee nation’, Coffee Board

Bengaluru (PTI) :

The Coffee Board wants to make India a coffee nation and position it as the drink for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of New India, a top official of the board said today.

Speaking at the inaugural event of the Seventh India International Coffee Festival,Coffee Board secretary Srivatsa Krishna said, “We are positioning coffee as the drink for Prime Minister’s vision of New India.” “Chai (Tea) has been the drink for many many years and British gave tea for free at the street corners and made this country a tea drinking country. We want to make it a coffee nation,” he said.

“Today outside the southern world and the national capital and a few other state capital, nobody drinks coffee.

Can we have pure Arabica and Robusta as the drink for the tea bugs from Tier I and II cities of New India? That is the dream we are pursuing.” To achieve its goal,the board wants to make Indian coffee as famed as the Darjeeling or Shillong tea,said Krishna at the four-day event.

He said the board was working towards branding and geo-tagging Indian coffee, telling the world the unique India coffee story and sell it as a premium product.

Krishna said the Board was the first organisation in India to introduce the block chain technology into coffee in a pilot project through Eca Analytics.

Under the project, it intends to bring together growers, curers, roaster, exporters and the Coffee café.

Eca Analytics would also help the board utilize the 100 years of rainfall and soil data to help the growers.

Krishna said the board has also partnered with Harvard University to experiment with ‘precision agriculture development’.

“We are also partnering with Harvard University. Two professors,Michael Kremer and Prof Sean Paul,have come forward with something called precision agriculture development.” “Today they are working in three states of India. We are bringing them into the coffee world wherein through an IVR call working with scientists at CCRI. They can give precise advise to the grower. This will hopefully take off by the end of Q-1,” said Krishna.

On the occasion, a mobile application developed by the Coffee Board for growers and exporters was also demonstrated.

It will be formally launched two months later by the Union Commerce Minister.

PTI GMS RA APR APR .

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home / PTI News / January 17th, 2018

A Slice Of History

Boverianda Nanjamma and Chinnappa
Boverianda Nanjamma and Chinnappa

Boverianda Nanjamma And Chinnappa Recollect The Efforts Of Their Late Grandfather In Documenting The Folklore And Songs Of The Kodava Community.

Much as we admire him and are inspired by him, we have never seen our grandfather Nadikerianda Chinnappa; he died before we were born. We—Nanjamma and Chinnappa—are cross cousins. The narrative of our grandfather that follows is based on the recollections of our parents, aunts and elder cousins, gleaned from casual conversations over the years.

Our grandfather, who worked with the police, had gone to a remote village, riding his horse across a stream and through a forest path to investigate a quarrel over the ownership of a strip of land. On his way back, he stopped by the stream to eat the akki (rice) roti sweetened with jaggery his wife had packed for him. The sun was setting behind the hills and had painted the skies in brilliant hues of red and gold. Captivated by the scene, Nadikerianda Chinnappa sat lost in thoughts, when he heard the distant sound of Kodava dudi (small handheld, hourglass-shaped drums). Mounting his horse, he set out to locate the origin of the drumbeats. He found four men seated around a bonfire singing Kodava folk songs, practising for Puthari, the harvest festival. It was getting dark but he waited for them to finish. Recognising that our grandfather was in the police, the singers touched his feet respectfully. Our grandfather took the leader of the team home on his horse.

This was not uncommon; his wife Nanjavva knew he had brought a singer home for the night. She made a bed for the visitor in the attic and served them a hot meal with a drink of frothing toddy. Refreshed, grandfather and the singer sat in the hall; while the singer sang a ballad, Chinnappa transcribed the words late into the night. After many such sessions with various singers, he had a good collection of Kodava songs sung during weddings, funerals and festivals, and ballads in praise of deities and heroes.

Himself a good singer, Chinnappa’s passion for Kodava songs and ballads prompted him to transcribe them. During his travels around Kodagu as a police officer in the early 1920s, he observed that the unique customs and traditions of the Kodava community were being forgotten or altered. Chinnappa feared that Kodava traditions and songs that had been handed down orally over generations would be lost because of the dominance of English, and the influence of the cultures of neighbouring areas. So, he decided to document them.

Late in the evenings, after work, he neatly wrote down all the songs, proverbs and riddles by the dim light of a kerosene lamp, while smoking his favourite cigars. When he started documenting the customs and traditions, he consulted his mother Ponnavva who was well-versed in them. Meanwhile, his wife would read the draft first to ensure that it was clear to a layperson. If there were parts she did not understand, Chinnappa rewrote them. It used to be said that the waste paper basket would always be full in the morning.

British officials in Coorg—as Kodagu was called by them—got his draft reviewed by some prominent Kodavas. On their recommendation, C S Sooter, commissioner of Coorg, authorised financial assistance to publish it. Chinnappa chose the name Pattole Palame, meaning ‘silken lore’, for his book, which was first published in 1924. The 6th edition was printed in 2012.

Pattole Palame is a precious document of the heritage of the Kodava community. In the second edition published by the University of Mysore in 1975, the editor describes it as “one of the earliest, if not the earliest, extensive collection of folklore of any Indian community written in an Indian language by an Indian”.

The text of Pattole Palame is in Kannada and the folk songs, proverbs, etc, in it are in Kodava thakk, the language of the Kodavas, an oral language written using the Kannada script. Nearly two-thirds of the book consists of folk songs transmitted orally down generations, which are sung even today. Traditionally known as Balo Pat, these songs are sung by four men beating dudi. The songs have haunting melodies and evoke memories of times long past. Kodava folk dances are performed to the beat of many of these songs, which are a rich source of information on the culture, language and history of the Kodava people.

Chinnappa himself began translating Pattole Palame into English but could not complete it, as he died of cancer in 1931 at the age of 56, a few months after his retirement. It was in 2003, nearly 75 years after Pattole Palame was first published, that we, his grandchildren, translated it into English and published it.

Although he was best known for Pattole Palame, Chinnappa’s major literary work as a poet was Bhagavantanda Paat, his translation of the Bhagavad-Gita into the Kodava language, composed in the style of Kodava folk songs, published in 1929.

When Grierson, a British linguist, embarked on the first Linguistic Survey of India (1913 to 1920), he looked for knowledgeable representatives of the various Indian languages. Chinnappa, who was fluent in both English and Kodava thakk, was chosen for the Kodava language. As required, he translated the parable of the ‘Prodigal Son’ into Kodava thakk and narrated it, and sang his own poem, Sri Moola Kanniye, an ode to river Kaveri. These were recorded in 1922 on gramophone records; copies of the recordings were kept in the British Library in London and the Madras Museum. They were digitised recently by the Linguistics Department of the University of Chicago.

Born in 1875, Chinnappa was the fifth of eight children. After matriculating in Madikeri, he went to Mangalore for further studies. But when his elder brother Subbayya died suddenly, Chinnappa returned to Kodagu to take on family responsibilities. In accordance with Kodava tradition, he married Subbayya’s widow, Nanjavva.

His career took many twists and turns. A teacher at first, then a revenue inspector, and then an officer in the Coorg Regiment of the Army, he joined the police department when the regiment was disbanded in 1904, and rose to the rank of a prosecuting inspector.

Our grandfather was fond of sports. He was a bowler in the All Coorg XI Cricket team, which in those days consisted mainly of Englishmen. When he played billiards at Victoria Club in Virajpet, his British opponents would often swear under their breath on losing a game to him. On one such occasion, Chinnappa lost his patience, broke the billiards stick on his knee and threw it on the floor. This was a very daring act for an Indian in those days.

Chinnappa was also involved in establishing the Police Officers’ Cooperative Society, Coorg Cooperative Society, Coorg Central Bank and the Coorg Education Fund. He was fond of children and always carried peppermints in his pockets. He was a caring father to his own three children, the two stepchildren by his elder brother, and to his deceased sister’s daughter, whom he and Nanjavva adopted. He sponsored the education of many poor children, and there were always a few students boarding in his residence, free of cost.

Our grandfather was a man of vision and talent, and was self-driven. He was a folklorist, poet, police officer, sportsman, historian, singer, philanthropist, and caring householder. Above all, he was a man who lived life to the fullest and left a lasting and invaluable legacy for his people in his writings.

The authors are translators and scholars of Kodava studies

Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
August 2016

A-slice-of-history

source: http://www.harmonyindia.com / Harmony / Home> Columns / August 2016

A tech booster coming for domestic coffee industry

(from left) Jose Sette, ED, International Coffee Organisation; Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, at the inauguration of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in Bengaluru on Wednesday - Photo: SOMASHEKAR G R N
(from left) Jose Sette, ED, International Coffee Organisation; Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, at the inauguration of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in Bengaluru on Wednesday – Photo: SOMASHEKAR G R N

Bengaluru :

India’s coffee sector is seen getting a technology boost with the State-run Coffee Board proposing to introduce a host of initiatives ranging from blockchain to drones soon.

Coffee Board Secretary Srivatsa Krishna said the Board has partnered with Eka Analytics to introduce blockchain technologies into the coffee sector covering growers, consumers, exporters and the trade including cafes on a pilot basis.

Rainfall, soil data
Besides, the rainfall data gathered for over 100 years and soil info are being used to deliver extension and advisory services to the growers on demand through a mobile app, Krishna said at the inaugural of the 7th edition of the India International Coffee Festival.

Besides, the Board also proposes to introduce the model of Precision Agriculture Development, developed by Harvard professors Michael Kremer and Shawn Cole to the coffee sector in the country and deploy drones for crop estimation, Krishna added.

He also urged the growers to come together to promote coffee.

Krishna further said that the Board has applied for a GI tag for four coffee varieties, a move that could help position better and fetch premiums.

The four-day IICF, organised by the India Coffee Trust and the Coffee Board, is perceived to be a precursor to the International Coffee Organisation’s World Coffee Congress which India will be hosting for the first time in 2020 in Bengaluru.

India is the sixth largest producer of coffee and about 70 per cent of the country’s produce is exported to Europe and Russia among others.

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, while inaugurating the festival, said the domestic market provided a big opportunity for the coffee fraternity to boost consumption.

Tax issues
Sudhir Sitapati, Executive Director-Refreshments, at Hindustan Unilever Ltd, stressed upon the need for a parity in GST between tea and coffee.

While the leaf tea attracts a GST of 5 per cent, on instant coffee it is pegged at 18 per cent.

The main objective of the festival this year is to capture the changes that are taking place in the coffee sector and to discuss issues faced by the industry and growers, said Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Economy> AgriBusiness / The Hindu Bureau / January 17th, 2018

‘Indian cuppa needs own brand for domestic, global markets’

With international prices falling due to excess production, domestic strategic brand initiative crucial.

Leading coffee growing countries like Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and Indonesia has caused an oversupply with the prices of the commodity falling by about 30% in the global markets.
Leading coffee growing countries like Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and Indonesia has caused an oversupply with the prices of the commodity falling by about 30% in the global markets.

Bengaluru:

The Coffee Capital, Banga-lore, will host a four-day international coffee festival, beginning today, amidst global uncertainty over the future of the commodity. Excess coffee production from leading coffee growing countries like Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and Indonesia has caused an oversupply with the prices of the commodity falling by about 30% in the global markets.

Indian coffee industry is at the crossroads now and the only option available for the industry is to create its own coffee brand, for the domestic and international markets, suggested Anil Kumar Bhandari, president, India Coffee Trust.

“The Ministry of Commerce should set up a special focus group for coffee, involving all stake holders in the industry, to create a profile, brand and a sophisticated communication for Indian coffee at home and outside. The government also has to sanction a fund to build a brand,’’ he said.

Prediction for climate change impact on coffee producing countries, including India, is already causing a lot of concern for coffee growers. The entire industry is worried about the rumour of Coffee Board getting restructured. The board is the only entity that holds the industry together. Also the industry hears that an Export Promotion Board is on the anvil for coffee.

Bhandari said, “India has been exporting all its surplus coffee for decades. We grow the best quality coffee, including several specialty varieties. In fact we are the only country that grows coffee under the shade of rain forests. No other country does that. Still, Indian coffee is not able to command a premium in the global markets, because we have not yet built a brand for it. So the need of the hour is to build a sophisticated campaign for our coffee and not creating another entity for exports.’’

Coffees from Central American countries, South American countries, Kenya, Ethiopia are getting premium in global markets, alth-ough none of these countries grow superior quality coffee. During last fiscal, India exported coffee worth Rs 5,600 crore, the basic price fetched at the New York Futures Exchange. “We have the potential to double the value, with the same quantity of exports, if we are able to position our coffee under specialty and premium varieties and not as bulk commodity sold at the basic price,’’ added Bhandari.

Vietnam has recently launched a five-year campaign to build its own premium coffee brand.

The country is spending some $7.5 million in this exercise.

Indonesia, with an average production of 691,000 tonnes a year, is witnessing a sudden spurt in coffee culture, followed by a mushrooming of cafes across the country. Brazil is the largest coffee producer, consumer and exporter of coffee followed by Vietnam, Indonesia and Columbia.

China is also quite bullish on coffee retailing, and it’s enthusiasm in the space is evident with every fortnight witnessing the opening of a Starbucks outlet in the country. China’s domestic coffee consumption is in the 12 to 15% range against 5 to 7% that of India.

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Business> In Other News / by Mini Tejaswi / January 16th, 2018