Nagaland gears up for large scale cultivation of coffee

Coffee News

The Nagaland state department of Land Resources has agreed to go ahead with the cultivation of coffee in Nagaland, with the Coffee Board of India assuring assistance to farmers in plantation and marketing.

Initially, it will cover Kohima District (Kohima village, Rusoma and Sechu Zubza). To make headway, the department in association with Coffee Board of India organized one-day training on “Cultivation of Coffee” here today at Ura Academy.

Dr. Menuosietuo Tseikha, DPO, DoLR said many villages in Nagaland possess ideal climatic conditions to cultivate coffee. He said the purpose of the programme was to train farmers on how to cultivate coffee in good way and get high yield.

The training was an opportunity for the farmers to know the systematic plantation of coffee from researchers.

Partha Pratim Choudhury, senior liaison officer, Coffee Board of India informed that in India, coffee can trace its origin to the planting of seven seeds of Mocha in 1600 CE by Baba Budan in Karnataka. In Nagaland, coffee was first planted in Kohima village.

He stated that Nagaland’s climate is suitable for growing coffee; a reason for the Coffee Board of India’s focus to invest in the state, particularly Kohima district. He assured to promote farmers with every amenity available under the board and also assured them to take care of marketing. He also invited farmers to the research farm, adding that the whole expenditure will be borne by the Board.

Renben Jami, Joint Director & Supervisory Officer, Kohima district, DoLR said Nagaland can become a producer state. The favorable climate can help achieve this end and thereby remove the state’s tag of only being a consumer. With this, he encouraged the trainees to take up anything which will bring about economic changes in society. “We do not want to take up anything which will not bring about economic changes. The standard of living is to be improved, there has to be some economic activities…,” Jami said.

After a gap of 20 years, he informed that the department has agreed to go ahead with the cultivation of coffee in the State and encouraged farmers to make Kohima district a coffee district.

source: http://www.morungexpress.com / The Morung Express / Home> Local / by The Morung Express Correspondent / Kohima- November 11th, 2014

Talks Honouring General Cross A Milestone

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
Aditya Sondhi (standing fourth from left) with other 'Old boys' of Bishop Cotton School
Aditya Sondhi (standing fourth from left) with other ‘Old boys’ of Bishop Cotton School

Bengaluru :

An annual lecture series in memory of General K S Thimayya enters its tenth year on November 22.

‘Old Boys’ of Bishop Cotton School started the lectures to commemorate the memory of General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya, also an alumni of the school. In an exclusive Aditya Sondhi interview with the City Express, managing trustee recounts the decade-long journey.

What inspired you to start this lecture series?

When Col Lalit Rai addressed a small group of us on his experiences in Kargil (where he won a Vir Chakra), it struck me that Bishop Cotton had an alumni that had so much to share. The lecture series was started in the memory of Gen Thimayya, one of our most towering old boys and one of India’s greatest generals. This would not only showcase the depth of the alumni, but also improve the quality of interaction among the participants and inspire the younger listeners to greatness.

Did any of you know Gen Thimayya personally?

Most trustees were born only after the General had passed on. But one trustee, Jairaj Daniel, remembers his father leaving him in the care of the General while he attended meetings of the board of governors at the school. Gen Thimayya had no reservations about spending the next hour or so chatting with the four-year-old! Another trustee, C N Kumar, fondly remembers him visiting the school as Chief of the Army Staff and the patron of the Old Cottonians’ Association. ‘Timmy’ was regarded as a ‘Soldier’s General.’ He was always close to his men, witty and jovial in tough situations, and fearless in thought and execution.

In the ZoJi la sector, he personally implemented the movement of tanks to hitherto unseen heights. His brand of leadership is to be treasured.

Is Bengaluru a good place to hold strategic affairs lectures?

Indeed, for the critical mass of retired military and government officers coupled with the Bengalurean hunger for intellectual stimulation.

However, I must clarify that our lectures go beyond strategic affairs and span art, science, social service and entrepreneurship.

Over the past 10 years, what difficulties have you encountered in organising these lectures?

This endeavour is run by seven friends, six of whom are large-hearted and spirited. Expectedly, with such ‘start-ups’, funding and logistics are always a challenge. Initially, we also found it challenging to convey our intent behind the lectures.

Fortunately, our patrons took to the lectures early enough to convince us that the effort was not in vain and needed to be sustained. Special thanks are due to the school, the family of the General and the armed forces veterans for their unstinting support.

Which lectures sparked the most intense discussions?

By far, Col Rai’s talk on Kargil in 2007 evoked the strongest feelings among the audience, with an intense and moving account of the valour of his troops. Dr Ajit Varki’s talk on experiments in glyco-biology, Phil Wollen’s talk on ahimsa and the vegan movement, and G K Pillai’s talk on internal security were very robustly received by the guests.

Give us an overview of how the lectures could shape up in the next 10 years. Any long-term vision?

The trustees aim to invite younger speakers and those with more eclectic life experiences. We also hope the lectures become more of a Bengaluru calendar-event and attract wider participation.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Saloni Mital / November 12th, 2014

Tap for information: Madikeri gets tourism kiosk

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature

Mysuru :

If you are holidaying in Madikeri and want to know the must-see places or cuisine or its rich cultural fabric, just head to this touchscreen kiosk. All the information about the district is one tap away.

The kiosk, a near-replica of the official website, has information in English and Kannada in both text and video formats. Kodagu tourism department, the district administration and a Bangalore-based software company have developed the kiosk, which chief minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated at the newly built district office complex in Madikeri on Monday.

“Tourism department and the district administration should utilize IT resources to develop and boost tourism in this picturesque hill district,” the CM said.

Tourism department assistant director V Panish said the department has sent a proposal to the state government to extend this facility to all tourist destinations in Karnataka. “Using the kiosk, tourists can directly contact hotels, homestay facilities and other service providers,” he said.

The department also plans to set up Coorg House.

Tourism authorities claim that such facilities will bring a unique brand identity to Kodagu. “Information kiosk will guide tourists about the ongoing cultural events, history, coffee plantations, festivals and local cuisine.”

“The project aims to develop a fully operational web portal service in five phases in two years. Work is on to develop apps for cellphones, iPad and tablets covering all tourist destinations in Karnataka. The current Android mobile application focuses only on Kodagu. It allows users to contact home stay owners, local artists, resorts and tour operators. Using this app, tourists can also book hotels and tickets for various events,” Panish said.

Tourism department and the district administration will provide an enriched tourism experience to visitors. The web portal service will also create jobs for locals, he added.

The kiosk, a near-replica of the official website, has information in English and Kannada in both text and video formats. Tourism authorities claim that such facilities will bring a unique brand identity to Kodagu.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysuru / by Maramkal Basavarajappa, TNN / November 08th, 2014

Tourism establishes tourist friendly kiosks in Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

Mysuru :

Kodagu tourism department in association with district administration and a private software company from Bangalore has developed a touch screen tourist information kiosk. According to tourism department sources, this is said to be first of its kind kiosk in India to leverage IT technology and holistic approach to developing tourism in Kodagu besides facilitating the tourists visit.

Tourism authorities claim that touch screen facility to tourists will bring a unique brand identity for Kodagu by helping them to utilize rich history, heritage, events, festivals, activities, coffee, legacy of kings and unique culture along with its cuisine.

Using agile methodology, the website portal developed concentrating IT and non IT services will provide varied information to the tourists. In later stages a fully developed website portal works will reveal the tourist information on Kiosk, computer, laptap, mobile, iPAD and tablet. Disclosing about the project , Tourism department assistant director V Panisha said the project aims to develop fully operated web portal service in five phases in two years of tenure. At present the released android mobile application is focused on Kodagu tourist content and ability to contact home stay owners, local artists, resorts and tour operators also aims to tap the services of booking accommodations, tickets for events and seats availability for various cultural and socio events.

The kiosk will be having the same features that website portal will have. The Kodagu tourism will propose to set up “Coorg house” to unveil the rich tourism potential of Kodagu, he added. Augmented reality is a technology that overlays an image, video or information from GIS on top of Google map or any other map. In the smart phones with GPS device fitted, navigation assistance in local language with information fed from GIS, Koisk will have the information in English and Kannada in text and video format, he said.

Panish said Kodagu tourism department and district administration would like to provide hassle free and enriched tour experience to tourists in coming days. And this web portal service will create local job opportunities and many unemployed having little IT knowledge will get jobs, Panish added.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the kiosk on 3 November at the newly built district office complex and expressed his happiness on the venture. Siddaramaiah said Kodagu tourism department and district administration should utilize the IT technology to develop and boost tourism in this picturesque hill district known for its natural beauty.

Panish said the department has sent a proposal to the state government to spread this facility to all the tourist destinations in the state and important tourist arrival places. ” Most notable feature of the kiosks and new technology is the tourists are prevented from being cheated by agents, touts and middlemen and they can directly bargain with the facility providers,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysuru / by M B Maramkal, TNN / November 07th, 2014

Nikhil Chinappa Collaborates with Jay Sean for ‘Aashiq Mizaaj’ Remix

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

JaySeanKF16nov2014

DJ and MTV VJ Nikhil Chinappa recently invited Jay Sean to India, specially to work on the new mix under his company Submerge Music. Chinappa and Jay are working on remixing the track “Aashiq Mizaaj” from Lisa Haydon, Akshay Kumar-starrer film “The Shaukeens.”

The original track “Ashiq Mizaj” has been composed by Hard Kaur and sung by Aman Trikha. Nikhil, who is a fan of Kaur’s work wanted to remix the number ever since he heard it for the first time.

We hear that he picked Jay Sean because of the unique spin he adds to desi tracks. He wants it to be a tribute to the singer.

Apparently, Jay too has loved the song so much that he has been listening to it on loop. He even called her up to congratulate her on track.

Chinappa plans to add his own twist to the track, and hopes that Hard Kaur will love it. Let’s see whether the remix ups the energy of the original song.

source: http://www.indiawest.com / India West / Home> News> Entertainment / by Suparna Thombare, India West Staff / November 06th, 2014

‘Coffee plantation in Kodagu can not be considered as deemed forest’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Kodagu Circle Chief Conservator of Forest Jagmohan Varma has clarified that coffee plantation in Kodagu can not be considered as deemed forest. This is based on the government’s order that plantation in private property should not be considered as deemed forest.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the officer said that the process of identifying deemed forest is under progress in the district, in the backdrop of the Supreme Court and State government’s order.

It is a common notion that a land with features of forest is deemed forest. But, as per the government order dated May 15, 2014, private plantation with any number of forest will not be considered as deemed forest. Therefore, there is no reason for coffee, cardamom, pepper and rubber planters to worry about, he assured.

Private forest

Explaining the word ‘private forest’ as defined in the government order, the Chief Conservator of Forest said that private forest is the land comprising of more than 50 trees per hectare land and each tree with a width of more than 30 cm. “The forest department along with revenue department is collecting details about private forests in the district. A district-level meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari too has been convened. Village level inspection will be carried out soon,” he said.

Further, Jagmohan Varma said that the State government’s order describes a wide range of forests that exist in Kodagu, including Forest-Paisari which is considered as forest land.

According to Coorg Land and Revenue Regulation 1899, Section 143, Sub Section (1) (F), Forest-Paisari land has been notified as forest in 1901. Therefore, the recent order too considers Forest-Paisari as forest land.

The land that is mentioned as forest in government documents, will be considered as deemed forest. The government has given the instruction to all district administration to submit a detailed report on deemed forest in every district, within May 15.

What is deemed forest?

Deemed forest is the private and paisari land with forest like features. The Supreme Court while hearing Godavarman Thirumalapad case in 1995, had directed all the States to collect information about deemed forest. Following the order, the State government polled information about forest land and deemed forest.

However, the survey was not concrete, as the deemed forest list also comprised of paisari and empty (khulla) land and details like survey number and map too was not appropriate.

Therefore, re-survey has been taken up to prepare a comprehensive report on deemed forest in the State.
DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS, November 06th, 2014

Union Forests Ministry approves Kushalnagar–Madikeri rail line survey

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

UnionForestsKF15nov2014
With this, Mysore–Madikeri project has taken a step forward

The Mysore–Madikeri railway line project has taken a step forward with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issuing clearance for the survey work between Kushalnagar and Madikeri.

Meeting
This was disclosed by Railway officials at the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee meeting here on Wednesday.

The environmental clearance was received last week and the authorities plan to complete the survey and submit the report to the Railway Board by March 31, 2015.

The preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey for the railway line was launched in December 2011, but was taken up only between Mysuru and Kushalnagar and the partial survey report was submitted to the Railway Board. Though the project was shelved by the Railway Board on grounds of being commercially unviable, the State government has evinced interest in the project and has agreed to take it up on a cost-sharing basis, apart from providing land to the Railways.

The first phase of the project entails providing railway link between Mysuru and Kushalnagar at a cost of Rs. 660 crore. It will also connect Hunsur and Periyapatna.

Interestingly, the project was included in the Railway Budget 2010–11 under the ‘socially desirable rail connectivity’.

The first proposal for providing a rail link between Mysuru and Madikeri was mooted in 1881-82, according to the Mysore Gazetteer.

Another project
On the Shivamogga–Harihar railway line project, it was pointed out that the detailed survey for the new broad-gauge line had been completed. The 76-km project is expected to cost Rs. 832 crore and will be taken up on a cost-sharing basis between the Railways and the State government. Though the Railway authorities had sought 1,000 acres of land, it is yet to be acquired.

The work can commence, provided the State government hands over adequate land to take up the work on at least a 40-km stretch, according to the officials.

Divisional Railway Manager Rajkumar Lal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Anil Kumar, senior officials of different departments from the Railways, and stakeholders from various districts coming under the Mysore Railway Division were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by R. Krishna Kumar / Mysuru – November 06th, 2014

Coffee planters peg coffee bean production at three lakh tonnes

Coffee News

CoffeeBeansKF14nov2014

Coffee planters have pegged coffee bean production at three lakh tonnes for 2014-15 (post-blossom estimates) against the Coffee Board’s projections of 3,44,750 tonnes.

The reason for stagnation in bean production is attributed to rampant pest attacks from white stem borers (WSB) across Arabica growing regions in Karnataka, which accounts for 70 per cent of the country’s output. To avoid the spread of borers, many planters have resorted to uprooting plants infected by WSB in estates.

There has been severe WSB attacks in Arabica plantations in Kodagu, Chikkamagalur and Hassan districts, according to Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman D. Govindappa Jayaram.

The Board estimated domestic Robusta production at 1,05,500 tonnes and Arabica at 2,39,250 tonnes. While the KPA said the Board’s estimates for Robusta production would be reached, it would not in the case of Arabica production. Arabica production would reach only 60,000 tonnes for the year. Hudhud cyclone has caused severe damage to Arabica plantations in Andhra Pradesh, the KAP said.

The Board estimation for Karnataka is 2,48,300 tonnes with 80,700 tonnes of Arabica and 1,67,600 tonnes of Robusta.

Coffee planters deliberated on various issues confronting the industry during the 56th AGM of the KPA here. Home Minister K J George said a meeting between growers and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be convened to address the grievances of the industry.

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, said no pesticides have been found to tackle WSB in the country. “Now, WSB infected plants are being removed or burnt to prevent spread of the disease,” she said.

The severe incidence WSB is due to the continuous dry weather from October 2013 to April 2014 and high temperature during summer months had ruined Arabica prospects, planters said.

The Coffee Board has set a target to achieve four lakh tonnes of bean production in the country through area expansion and productivity enhancement in the next 5-10 years, a growth of over 30 per cent over the current production level.

In 2013-14, production stood at 304,500 tonnes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Nagesh Prabhu / Bengaluru – November 14th, 2014

MLA’s son ties knot in US

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's

MLAsSonKF13nov2014

Madikeri MLA Mandepanda P. Appachu Ranjan celebrated his eldest son Dr. Mandepanda Vikram Poovaiah’s wedding with Vietnamese scientist Kim at a ceremony held at Laguna Beach, California recently.

Appachu Ranjan’s son, who is settled in USA and works as a Principal Chip Designer, got married in traditional Kodava wedding style.

The ceremony was attended by the MLA’s wife Shyla, his second son Dr. Cariappa, daughter Ksheera and about 30 family members along with some relatives of the bride.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Friday, November 07th, 2014

Best App in Asia award to Hyderabad entrepreneur

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Science & Technology
The Best App In Asia category of the digital winners 2014, Raghu Kanchustambham, explains about his application in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
The Best App In Asia category of the digital winners 2014, Raghu Kanchustambham, explains about his application in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

The app helps coffee growers to get instant returns for their produce. Livelihood 360 is also capable of estimating quantity of the produce in the fields and sell the crop at fair price.

The coffee farmers of Araku valley these days get instant returns for their produce. Gone are the days when they had to wait for nearly a month till the buyers completed the weighing process of the produce and release money through co-operative society. Thanks to a mobile application developed by Hyderabad-based entrepreneur, Raghu Kanchustambham, there is no waiting period.

The app dubbed as ‘Livelihood 360 (L360)’ was adjudged the Best App of Asia in the Telenor Digital Winners Conference, a global competition held in Oslo, Norway this month. The award came with a cash prize of Rs. 9,79,000, which will be utilised by the developer to further “scale up” the concept.

It all started when Mr. Raghu, who has a start-up ‘Concept Wave’, met the officials of Naandi Foundation, which was already working with the coffee farmers of Araku valley. “The basic premise was to utilise technology and reach to those people not having access to technology and internet. I visited Araku valley and spent time with them and learnt a lot about their lifestyle and livelihood,” he said.

Mr. Raghu said the previous system of remittance to coffee growers in Araku was taking about a month. The coffee growers would take their produce to a prescribed ‘adda’ where the truck drivers would collect and transport coffee beans to another location for weighing and valuing. “We gave the truck drivers an application that would quantify the yield and also determine the quality instantly. The drivers will immediately remit the amount on the spot to farmers,” he explained.

Livelihood 360 is also capable of estimating quantity of the produce in the fields and sell the crop at fair price. “We have already adopted this application among 12,000 coffee farmers in 650 villages of Araku. Between 40 and 50 truck drivers from Araku were given training on using the application on a feature phone and not a smart phone,” he explained.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by M. Sai Gopal / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2014