Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491374
STiR tea & coffee industry international 17 in the traditional coffee consuming states of south India. The soluble coffee market in India has been growing, with the growth being triggered by the domestic and multina- tional producers and marketers of soluble coffee. A wide range of soluble coffees (pure and French) are available to meet the demands of distinct Indian consumer segments. However, considering the stage at which India lies on the coffee consumption trajectory, it is expected that, during the next few years, the growth rates for ground roast coffees could exceed that of soluble coffee due to the emergence of discerning consumers who are able to appreciate the nu- ances of freshly ground roast coffee. This trend has already commenced with the growing sales of home coffee brewing equipment including coffee from capsules and pods. STiR:Coffee preparation is taking on new forms as well, with baristas competing in contests serving espresso drinks, latte art, and signature drinks. The Coffee Board is involved in sponsoring events to train the next generation of coffee professionals. Tell our readers about these programs. Chairman Akhtar: The Coffee Board has actively con- tributed to the growth of the domestic coffee segment by conducting training programs for capacity building of stake- holders and entrepreneurs in roasting and brewing of cof- fee. Here are some examples: - Kaapi Shastra Training Program: A five day intensive program which focuses on hands-on learning on coffee quality and processing; - Post Graduate Diploma in Coffee Quality Manage- ment: A one-year program that prepares young profession- als for technical careers in the coffee industry; - Coffee Board established a 'Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship' at the Indian Institute of Plantation Man- agement (IIPM), Bangalore to facilitate entrepreneurship development in the coffee sector. This center has launched a "Professional Certificate Programme in Coffee Entrepre- neurship" and "Reach out Program in Coffee Entrepre- neurship", with the programs being held across the country. These programs are designed to impart essential skills and share crucial information with potential and nascent coffee entrepreneurs; - Considering the rapid growth of coffee shops in the country and the evolving demand for well-trained baristas, the Coffee Board has developed a "Barista Training Pro- gram" to impart training in barista-related skills; - The Coffee Board also regularly organizes events, competitions, and programs that enable exchange of infor- mation, imparting of skills and networking of coffee entre- preneurs. STiR:Demand for organic, ecologically sustainable, and coffee grown with minimum chemical inputs is on the rise. Tell us about initiatives that encourage the conservation and healthy cultivation of coffee. Are the number of organic certified, rainforest alliance certified, and bio-dynamic certifications on the rise at coffee plantations? Chairman Akhtar: Indian coffee is shade-grown with most of the coffee being produced in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats. The Indian coffee production systems are eco-friendly with most growers producing coffees without the use of harmful pesticides. The Coffee Board has been implementing programs to promote the production of eco- friendly coffees. The Board has been providing financial and technical assistance to coffee growers to produce certi- fied coffees under certification programs that have a strong component of environmental sustainability e.g. organic cof- fee and rainforest alliance. The Board's interventions and the private sector's active participation have resulted in a distinct increase in the production of sustainable coffees in India. It is estimated that about 15% of the coffee that is produced in India is certified under at least one program. However, the production of organic certified coffee has not shown a marked rise due to the 'under conversion' periods and the need for buffer zones. STiR:Describe the development of India's coffee small growers. Much of the national production continues on small parcels scattered across the country. Will you describe some smallholder programs to improve quality and how their coffee is reaching the market? Chairman Akhtar: Coffee cultivation in India is un- dertaken primarily as a family-based enterprise. Of about 291,000 coffee farms in the country, 99% are less than 25 acres (10 ha) in size. Apart from providing technical support that is suitable for small farms, the Coffee Board extends de- velopment support to accelerate cultivation and processing activities such as replantation, water augmentation, upgrade in quality, mechanization, etc. to improve production, pro- ductivity, and the quality of coffee produced in the country. The Coffee Board's r&d initiatives and development sup- port schemes focus on increasing the competitiveness of In- dian small coffee growers by initiating quality improvement programs and setting off transaction costs. Recognizing the increasing presence of sustainable coffee in global markets, the Board has recently launched a program to support small growers' collectives to get certified under various certifica- tion programs. The Board has initiated a program to en- able groups of small growers to procure ecological washing units. The Board is also incentivizing small growers to sell their coffees at auctions and select commodity exchanges. STiR:Coffee harvests are under some stress as the climate under- goes changes. Tell our readers about programs to support research and develop new strains of coffee that is resistant to fungal and other plant diseases. Chairman Akhtar: Through constant and innovative r&d efforts, the Coffee Board has released 13 improved disease-tolerant arabica varieties. The recently-released Chandragiri variety has high resistance to leaf rust, produc- tivity potential of 1,500-1,800kg/hectare with a high per- centage of bold beans and fair average quality. In addition, three promising arabica lines with higher resistance to pests and diseases are ready for multi-location trials. The Board also released three improved varieties of robusta with four drought-tolerant lines of robusta under field evaluation. The C x R variety is renowned for its superior quality. The Board has developed best practices covering all aspects of scientific coffee cultivation such as nursery management, bush management, integrated nutrient man- agement (INM), integrated pest and disease management, sprinkler irrigation, soil fertility-based nutrient recommen- dations. These practices are disseminated to the growers by the extension officers of the board who interact with grow- ers at the farm level.