Coffee Board of India

About the Coffee Board

1. Establishment: Statutory body established under Section 4 of the Coffee Act, 1942.
2. Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
3. Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
4. Composition: 33 members, nominated by the Central Government, for a three-year term. They represent coffee growers, traders, labour, consumers, state governments and Members of Parliament, among others.

Major Functions

1. Research and Development: Improves coffee productivity and quality.
2. Grower Support: Provides technical and financial assistance through development programmes.
3. Market Promotion: Promotes Indian coffee in domestic and international markets.
4. Export Services: Provides market intelligence, quality certification, and Registration-Cum-Membership Certificates (RCMC).
5. Welfare: Implements welfare measures for coffee growers and workers.
6. Specialty Coffee Promotion: Promotes varieties such as Monsooned Malabar, Mysore Nuggets, and Araku coffee.

Coffee Cultivation in India

1. Nature: Tropical plantation crop generally grown under shade trees on hill slopes.
2. Major Species: Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta).
3. Major Producing States: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Karnataka contributes over 70% of India’s coffee production; Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu together account for about 96%.
4. Global Position: India is the 7th-largest coffee producer, contributing around 3.5% of global production.
5. Exports: Nearly 70% of India’s coffee production is exported. Major markets include Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and South Korea.

Agro-Climatic Conditions

1. Temperature: Warm, humid climate with temperatures around 15°C–28°C.
2. Rainfall: Approximately 150–250 cm, preferably well distributed.
3. Altitude: Generally cultivated at 600–1,600 metres above sea level.
4. Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil rich in humus and minerals such as iron and calcium.
5. Ripening: Relatively dry weather during berry ripening favours harvesting and drying.

FAQs

Q1. Which ministry administers the Coffee Board?

Ans. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Q2. Where is the headquarters of the Coffee Board?

Ans. Its headquarters is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Q3. What are the two major coffee species cultivated in India?

Ans. They are Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta).

Q4. Why is dry weather important during coffee ripening?

Ans. It supports berry ripening and helps with harvesting. Excessive rain during this stage can interfere with harvesting and drying.