Madikeri recently hosted the second annual Coffee Dasara, an important event designed to bring together all those involved in the coffee industry to address the significant challenges facing the trade.
With 45 vibrant stalls displaying diverse coffee varieties, the Dasara was inaugurated by Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda. He acknowledged the paradox of coffee commanding good market prices while its cultivators grapple with numerous difficulties, emphasizing the need for collective action to overcome these hurdles.
This vital gathering was a collaborative effort, organized by the Madikeri Dasara Committee, the Madikeri Dasara Cultural Committee, and the Coorg Planters’ Association.
Gowda highlighted India’s rich 250 to 300-year history of coffee cultivation, noting that today’s growers contend with critical issues such as labor shortages and the increasing unpredictability of climate change.
He stressed Kodagu’s status as Karnataka’s primary coffee-producing region and urged stakeholders to unify their efforts to maintain this leadership. ‘It’s essential for growers to converge and strategize on production, marketing, and all other pertinent challenges,’ Gowda remarked.
Beyond the impressive display of 45 coffee stalls, organizers delighted visitors with a range of culinary offerings, ensuring the event was well-received by the public.
Dinesh Devavrinda, Chairman of the Indian Coffee Board, advocated for comprehensive crop insurance for coffee, mirroring existing schemes for crops like betel nut and pepper. This, he argued, would provide much-needed resilience for growers against unforeseen losses.
Devavrinda further highlighted that while Kodagu leads with 75% of the state’s coffee output, districts like Hassan and Chikkamagaluru are also key contributors. He underscored coffee’s profound cultural and economic integration within these local communities.
Emphasizing the urgency for robust discussions to tackle growers’ predicaments, Devavrinda proposed that collective deliberations could unearth effective solutions. He also encouraged cultivators to actively leverage the vast opportunities available in the global coffee market.
He further advised growers to embrace modern cultivation techniques and urged both central and state governments to extend their full support in advancing the welfare of coffee farmers.
Devavrinda outlined an ambitious vision: to boost India’s coffee production to 7 lakh tonnes by 2047, thereby increasing foreign exchange earnings, expanding market reach, and enhancing grower benefits. He acknowledged that while India’s production lags behind global giants like Vietnam and Brazil, innovation is key to developing the sector.
Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja assured attendees that the district administration would serve as a vital link, mediating solutions for growers’ concerns while meticulously balancing the interests of both farmers and the broader public.
Throughout the event, specialists and experts shared valuable insights on critical topics such as maintaining coffee quality, exploring new varieties, and addressing crucial soil fertility challenges.
The organizers also took the opportunity to honor several forward-thinking coffee growers for their contributions to the industry.