Government of India - Coffee Board

COFFEE IN CHICKMAGALUR DISTRICT

Chickmagalur is the home land of Indian Coffee.  Coffee said to have been introduced in 1670 A.D. by a Mohammedan Saint at Chandradrona Parvatha by sowing 7 seeds.  This hillock is now called as 'BABA BUDAN GIRI'.

Coffee cultivation gradually picked up as a backyard crop and commercial cultivation commenced during 18th Century.  Mr.Thomas Cannon established first coffee plantation 'Mylimane Estate' near Chickmagalur.  Mr. D. Kent a planter near Aldur found out a new variety in 'Arabica' which is called Kent Coffee.

Dr. Leslie Coleman, a Mycologist and Entomolygist the then Director of Agriculture, Government of Mysore has  made strenuous effort to develop coffee plantation and evinced keen interest  in coffee research, under his stewardship coffee Experimental station  was established at Balehonnur by Government of Mysore during 1925.

COFFEE RESEARCH

The  Coffee Experimental Farm established near Balehonnur by Government of Mysore was taken over by Coffee Board in 1946 and Christened as Central Coffee Research Institute(CCRI).  The  CCRI  is the premier Research Station in South-east Asia.  CCRI is conducting fundamental research in the field of Botany, Agronomy, Plant pathology, Entomology, Hematology, plant physiology, Agricultural Engineering and Bio-technology.  CCRI has released 12 variety of Arabica and 3 variety of Robusta.  Improved variety for cultivation which occupies nearly 85% of total planted area in the country.  CCRI has also developed a package practices/ for improved production, productivity or Quality.

EXTENSION WING

The Extension service in coffee has commenced from 1948 aimed at transfer of Technology.  In Chikmagalur district Extension services  has commenced during 1950 s.  The present extension  set up is headed by a Deputy Director (Extn.) at Chikmagalur and with office of the  Senior Liaison Officers and Junior  Liaison Officers in  different  sub zones. Extension wing is engaged in  inculcating  the improved agronomic practices in coffee cultivation. It has also operated several development loan schemes and now operating several useful programmes under plan scheme.  The Extension wing is now concentrating to   improve  productivity quality of coffee production of  specialty    coffee and   organic farming  

 Coffee in Chikmagalur district occupies about 85,465 ha spread over in 7 revenue taluks, while Arabica is major variety in hilly areas, Robusta is major in lower altitude.  There are about 15,000 growers of which 96% are small growers having holdings up to  4 Ha. or less than 4 Ha. The average production is 55,000 MT comprising of 35,000 MT  of Arabica and 20,000 MT of Robusta.  The average productivity per Ha is  810 Kgs for Arabica and 1110 Kgs of Robusta, which are higher than the national average.  The Coffee produced in the district is noted for  'Quality' as 'high Grown Coffee'.

It is estimated that coffee plantation and Coffee curing works are providing gainful employment to 1.40 Lakh labourers.  There are also bunch of Coffee Curing works. Coffee industry has also provided scope for development of trade and commerce in the district.

COFFEE BOARD

The  Coffee Board is a statutory body  constituted under Central Enactment under the control of Ministry of Commerce, Government  of India.  The Chairman, Coffee Board is the chief executive  officer of  Coffee Board appointed by Government of India.  The members of Coffee Board are appointed by Government of India and Coffee Board, function under statutory committee.  The function of Coffee Board are as follows.  The head office is at Bangalore.

For Further Details Contact :-

The Deputy Director (Extn.),

Coffee Board, P.B. No.43, Prabhu Street, Chickmagalur - 577101.

Telephone : 0826 235619 ; Fax : 08262-235619