(a) The production of coffee during each of the last three years and the current year, state-wise;
(b) Whether good quality coffee can be produced at the height of 900 metres;
(c) If so, the number of such States in India; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to boost the production of good quality coffee in the country ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) The State-wise coffee production during the last three years as well
the projection for the current year are furnished below:-
(b) (Qty. in MT)
State 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Karnataka 185550 198600 196275 215000 Kerala 63850 54300 56825 61200 Tamil Nadu 17750 18300 18825 19700 AP & Orissa 3000 4000 1825 4200 North Eastern 300 300 250 200 Region Non 50 Conventional Area Total 270500 275500 274000 300300 Post blossom estimates.
(b) Yes Sir.
(c) Traditional coffee growing states namely, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu are growing Robusta coffee at a height of 900 meters or above.
(d) The Coffee Board has been implementing a quality upgradation scheme under the Small Sector Development Programme during the 9th and 10th Plans wherein 20% subsidy is extended to small growers to set up the required infrastructure at farm level for making good quality coffees. The subsidy is extended for setting up pulper cum washers at farm level to prepare washed coffee; establishing pucca drying yards to dry coffees to desired levels and construction of store houses to keep the produce in an appropriate manner. Further, the Coffee Board has been actively involved in training growers for preparation of good quality coffee through Farmers Participatory method programmes The formation of Self Help Groups among small growers has been supported for taking up processing, storing and marketing of their coffees through community approach . The Board is organizing annual cupping competition-‘Flavour of India- Fine Cup Awards’ to be adjudged by international quality experts to select the best quality coffees, which helps to incentivise the growers for production of quality coffee.Technical and financial assistance has been extended through the Coffee Board for setting up quality labs in the private sector to evaluate the quality of coffee through organoleptic methods and help the growers to compare their produce with the best.