Tag Archives: Coorg Planters Association

Karnataka to hold special meeting to discuss Kasturirangan Report

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Several key issues in the district concerning the forest department have been highlighted by the various organisations.

Madikeri:

Ramalinga Reddy, Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, said the state government will hold a special meeting on Monday to find a resolution to the proposed Kasturirangan Report.

The minister, who heard the grievances related to wildlife conflict in Kodagu from the various communities and organisations in the district, assured to hold meetings with the revenue minister and the Chief Minister to find a permanent solution.

Speaking to the media after heading the grievance meeting, he said that several key issues in the district concerning the forest department have been highlighted by the various organisations.

“The wild elephant and tiger conflict, Kasturirangan Report, the need to establish an elephant corridor, request for increase in wildlife compensation, section 4 issue and the revenue land issue near Harangi have been highlighted by the various groups in the district,” the minister said adding that a meeting with the revenue minister and the Chief Minister will be held to find solution to the problems.

He assured that a special meeting will be called to discuss the issues, including the Kasturirangan Report.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents arrived at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Madikeri to highlight their grievances with the minister.

Representatives from the Kudiyara community, Communist Party of India (CPI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Coorg Planters’ Association (CPA), Estate Workers’ Union, Labour Union and several other residents and growers living in wildlife conflict zones met the minister and submitted memorandums of their demands.

Initially, former BJP MLA KG Bopaiah spoke and gave suggestions to the state to fight the wildlife conflict. He requested the department to cancel the elephant chasing missions in the district to prevent further damages to estates of growers. He requested the state to hold a meeting and find a scientific solution to the Kasturirangan Report.

Various other issues, including the Section 4, C and D land and the need to revive Elephant Trenches, were highlighted by Bopaiah.

The minister later met the farmers and received memorandums from them. MLAs AS Ponnanna, Dr Mantar Gowda, PCCF (Wildlife) Kumar Pushkar, PCCF Meenakshi Negi, Kodagu CCF Sonal Vrishni, Deputy Commissioner Somashekar S.J and other officials were present during the meeting.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 28th, 2026

Coffee Dasara brews hope for growers amid challenges

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

45 stalls celebrate Kodagu’s coffee culture as top growers honoured

Madikeri:

The Coffee Dasara celebration held on Wednesday at Gandhi Maidan, Madikeri, captivated visitors with a vibrant display of coffee culture, featuring 45 thematic stalls and a strong message of solidarity with coffee growers grappling with persistent challenges.

The event was jointly organised by the Madikeri Dasara Committee, Madikeri Dasara Cultural Committee and the Coorg Planters Association inside the Sakamma Auditorium, named after Karnataka’s first woman coffee entrepreneur. The coffee mega event was executed and coordinated by H.T. Anil.

Inaugurating the celebration, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda highlighted that despite favourable market prices, coffee growers continue to face serious hardships.

“Labour shortages, climate fluctuations, and market instability are major hurdles, especially for small-scale producers. We must unite to tackle these challenges,” Dr. Mantar Gowda urged.

Dr. Mantar Gowda noted that Kodagu district accounts for nearly 75 percent of Karnataka’s coffee production and stressed that Coffee Dasara, which began last year, should become an annual platform to foster dialogue and development.

Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda with Coffee Dasara Convener H.T. Anil during the event.

Crop insurance coverage

Coffee Board Chairman Dinesh Devavrinda underscored the need for insurance coverage for coffee crops, similar to schemes available for arecanut and pepper. He pointed out that coffee is cultivated not only in Karnataka’s Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagalur districts but also across the north-eastern States and encouraged farmers to take pride in their profession.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, promising to act as a bridge between growers and policy-makers. He announced plans to launch video-based training programmes on coffee cultivation and marketing, emphasising the urgent need for modernisation in the 21st century.

Technical insights

Several experts shared technical insights during the event. Dr. Ichettira Mandappa, Coffee Board Director, spoke about maintaining quality in coffee cultivation, coffee grower Karan discussed emerging varietals in coffee farming, Jermie D’Souza presented research on dwarf robusta strains while Dr. Chendrimada Captain Thimmaiah, Assistant Director, Veterinary Services, explained the role of soil fertility in improving yields.

The event also featured a felicitation ceremony honouring outstanding coffee farmers, recognising their contributions to the industry.

Growers felicitated

Distinguished coffee growers were felicitated by International Booker Prize-2025 winner Deepa Bhasthi, who hails from Madikeri. They included Vinod Shivappa, former President of UPASI (United Planters’ Association of Southern India), S.M. Chengappa, progressive farmer from Kiragandur, Lava Edadante from Edadante village, D.P. Ravishankar from Ponnampet, D.Y. Abdul Razak from Kodlipet, Vikram from Masagodu, Robert from Ponnathmotte in Chettalli and Nizamuddin Siddiqui, senior coffee entrepreneur from Madikeri.

Prominent dignitaries present included the Coorg Planters Association Chairman A. Nanda Belliappa, Madikeri Town Municipality President and Madikeri Dasara Committee Chairperson     P. Kalavathi, Madikeri Dasara Committee office-bearers, Jyothika of Women’s Coffee Awareness Forum, former MLCs Veena Achaiah and S.G. Medappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 28th, 2025

Coffee Board’s plans to enhance coffee bean quality revealed

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145th Annual General Meeting of the Coorg Planters’ Association held in Madikeri

Madikeri:

The Coffee Board has launched an ambitious initiative to elevate coffee quality across regions by forming community farmer groups at the hobli (village cluster) level. This initiative, announced by Coffee Board CEO and Secretary Dr. K.G. Jagadeesh during the 145th Annual General Meeting of the Coorg Planters’ Association in Madikeri recently, aims to gather insights into coffee quality and apply targeted improvements.

Dr. Jagadeesh highlighted that prioritising quality will ensure a robust future for Indian coffee. Under the initiative, community groups of 100 farmers will be established in each hobli, where collected coffee bean samples will undergo laboratory analysis to determine quality.

Should quality fall short, Coffee Board experts will provide growers with specific guidance on improvement measures, helping them achieve standards that could command higher prices in the international market.

In an effort to attract young talent to coffee farming, the Board also introduced a two-year Coffee Cultivation Diploma. Open to those who have completed the 10th Standard, the diploma programme offers formal training in cultivation and plantation management, addressing the current shortfall of trained supervisory and managerial staff in the industry.

Recognising the expanding demand for skilled café staff, the Board announced plans to offer Barista training for women, youth and enthusiasts. As an estimated 3,000 new coffee cafes are expected to open across India next year, this training will equip individuals to serve plantation visitors and tourists with high-quality coffee..

Tata Coffee Managing Director P.A. Mandanna stressed the importance of sustainable coffee farming, urging growers to embrace environmental, economic and social responsibility. He shared that Tata Coffee has implemented eco-friendly pulpers and rainwater harvesting systems across its estates, which has improved soil fertility and raised groundwater levels.

Experts, including Dr. Raja Vijay Kumar, British agricultural specialist Mark Trisney and K. Sudhindra offered practical demonstrations on various coffee cultivation techniques, providing valuable insights to growers.

Coorg Planters’ Association President A. Nanda Belliappa said that the Association continues to provide essential information to farmers and has actively raised their concerns with the Government.

Other prominent attendees included Association Secretary C.K. Belliappa, Vice-President A.A. Chengappa, Karnataka Coffee Planters’ Association President K.G. Rajeev Ganapathy, former Coffee Board Vice-Presidents N. Bose Mandanna and B.D. Manjunath, among other industry leaders.

The meeting also featured an exhibition and sale of agricultural equipment, drawing significant interest from participants.

This initiative marks a pivotal step by the Coffee Board and industry leaders in strengthening quality and sustainability in Indian coffee farming, aiming to bolster India’s position in the global coffee market.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 10th, 2024