COFFEE DROPPING IN ESTATES CRESTE CONCERN

Madikeri July 9, 2007

Droppings in coffee estates are creating large scale concern as planters fear down fall in production.

A visit to few estates in Napoklu and Somwarpet area reveals that the coffee berries are dropping on the ground due to excess rainfall. Biddatanda Ramesh from Napoklu stated that at least thirty percent of the berries will be lost due to the incessant rainfall. Several estates in the district face same trouble.

Berries are dropping more in estates which depend fully upon blossom showers in the month of February and March. Their consistency to hold to the plant was weak as the late blossom shower allowed little time for the flowers to set. Estates which have water sprinkling facility are bits safe as the flowers were allowed to fall naturally set the berries growth firmly. Even these estates are facing anxiety as the continues rain will affect the berries.

Biddatanda Ramesh told that the coffee board would be releasing insurance amount of rupees six thousand per acre for the loss. But the actual loss would cross rupees twenty five thousand.

The amount should be increased to twenty five thousand, he urged.

Forty percent of Indian coffee is produced in India. Robusta is grown in 69,850 hectares and Arabica is grown in 83,300 hectares. The coffee board is exopecting a crop of 1,95,950 tons of coffee this season. However the rainfall will reduce the expected quantity, according to planters.