Growers should concentrate on floriculture, pisciculture and piggery units along with coffee, said Shimoga Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Dr C Vasudevappa.

Speaking at a policy dialogue on future of coffee based economy of Kodagu organised by National Research Programme on Plantation Development (NRPPD), Agricultural Scientist Forum, Coorg Planters Association and Bangalore Institute for Social and Economic Change, he said that farmers should not depend on single crop for livelihood. Along with coffee, other crops should be grown.

The growers should focus on technology, quality in coffee, improvised processing technologies to fetch profit.

Coffee Board former vice president N M Bose Mandanna said that there are 90 per cent small growers.

The Board and the Centre should come to solve the problems faced by the growers. Coffee is part of Kodagu’s life. When the prices slashed in 2004, the growers did not stop growing coffee.

Institute for Social and Economic Change (Bangalore) Prof P G Chengappa said that on the lines of National Horticulture Mission, Coffee Mission should be set up. The Central government and the Coffee Board should also focus on marketing of the coffee. “We have failed in marketing coffee,” he added.

Dr K J Joseph of NRPPD, ISEC Director Dr Binay Kumar Patnaik, and ASFK President Dr B C Nanjappa among others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, June 07th, 2014