Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his association with tea, shifted the conversation to coffee during the 127th episode of his monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
“You all know my connection with tea, but today, I thought why not talk about coffee in ‘Mann Ki Baat’,” the Prime Minister remarked. He proceeded to emphasize the growing global acclaim for Indian coffee, with a particular spotlight on the Koraput region in Odisha.
Modi recalled his previous ‘Mann Ki Baat’ session where he had featured Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh. “Some time ago, many people from Odisha also shared their feelings with me about Koraput coffee. They wrote letters to me, requesting that Koraput coffee be discussed in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ as well,” he shared.
‘Koraput coffee is simply amazing’
Describing the taste of Koraput coffee as “simply amazing”, the Prime Minister noted that beyond its delightful flavour, coffee cultivation in the region is making a significant positive impact on local communities.
He shared inspiring stories of growers in Koraput who left lucrative corporate jobs to dedicate themselves to coffee farming, driven by their passion. “Such is their love for coffee that they left those jobs and are now working successfully in this field,” Modi stated.
The Prime Minister also highlighted how coffee cultivation has brought about positive transformations in the lives of many women, bringing them both respect and prosperity. “Truly, it is rightly said—Koraput coffee is exceptionally delicious,” he concluded.
Coffee Production and Exports
Koraput is renowned for its unique agro-climatic conditions, which are perfect for cultivating high-quality Arabica coffee. Reports indicate that approximately 5,000 hectares in Odisha are currently dedicated to coffee cultivation.
The Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) oversees the entire process, from sourcing and processing to grading and marketing, ensuring the premium quality of the coffee.
India’s coffee production is dominated by Arabica and Robusta varieties, with Karnataka leading production at nearly 70%, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, regions like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are increasingly gaining prominence as new coffee cultivation hubs.
In terms of exports, India’s coffee shipments saw a substantial increase of 12.5% during April-September of the current fiscal year, reaching USD 1.05 billion.
Traditional Coffee Regions
Modi also pointed out the advancements in coffee cultivation in the Northeast, further enhancing the international reputation of Indian coffee.
“Indian coffee is becoming very popular all over the world. Be it Chikmagalur, Coorg and Hassan in Karnataka; the areas of Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, and Annamalai in Tamil Nadu; the Niligiri region on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border; or the areas of Wayanad, Travancore, and Malabar in Kerala—the diversity of Indian coffee is truly remarkable,” he stated.