CCRI to depute coffee experts to Nagaland

Secretary, Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS sharing prospects of coffee plantation in Nagaland at CCRI Chikkmagalur, Karnataka.  (Morung Photo)
Secretary, Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS sharing prospects of coffee plantation in Nagaland at CCRI Chikkmagalur, Karnataka. (Morung Photo)

Assuring all possible guidance and assistance to the state Land Resources Department for coffee plantation, the Central Coffee Research Institute, Chikkmagalur, Karnataka has agreed to depute scientists and technical experts to the state to study the climatic condition and feasibility of coffee plantations.

Speaking to The Morung Express over the phone from Bangalore, Secretary, Land Resources, Y Kikheto Sema IAS said that the Director CCRI, Dr. Raguramulu expressed happiness over the Nagaland team’s visit and agreed to depute coffee experts to Nagaland and also to provide whatever coffee seeds were required by the state.

Kikheto said that the climatic conditions of Karnataka and Nagaland were similar and expressed optimism that the state would see a landmark growth in coffee plantation with technical experts providing their valuable expertise after examining the feasibility.

He said Dr. Raguramulu recalled about the establishment of Coffee Demonstration Farm at Kiruphema in the past, which could not take off effectively owing to frequent landslides and volatile situation in the state. However, Kikheto apprised the CCRI Director that Nagaland was relatively peaceful now and assured of all government support for establishing Coffee (Arabica) Research Centre in the state.

CCRI officials, scientists and State Land Resources Department officers held a joint meeting on Wednesday at the former’s office, where Kikheto presented a power point presentation on the status of coffee in Nagaland.

He said Coffee plantation has an edge over rubber and tea since it could be intercropped with other crops such as banana, orange, citrus, pepper etc, while mixed cropping was not possible for the latter two crops. He said that the Land Resources Department was yet to receive funds even as it has been declared as the nodal department for revival of coffee plantation in the state.

Kikheto informed that the state LRD team were taken on a coffee farm visit by the officials and famers and also taken to Chikkmagalur coffee laboratory.

The LRD officials also visited the Coffee Sub Research Centre, Coorg on Thursday with CBI officials on Thursday.
“We have learned a lot from the field and laboratory visits about coffee plantation and we will accordingly train our farmers back home with proper guidance and assistance from the CCRI,” Kikheto said.

He informed that 70% of coffee production in the country was from Karnataka. Kikheto extended gratitude to the CBI Bangalore, CCRI Chikkmagalur and Coffee Sub Research Centre, Coorg for their support and cooperation.

source: http://www.morungexpress.com / The Morung Express / Home / by Morung Express News / Dimapur – October 20th, 2016(posted October 21st, 2016)

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