Answer.
APPROACH
Introduction- Brief about the nature of the crop and its introduction in India. Write the status of India in global coffee production.
The Body
- Begin with the regions where coffee cultivation is undertaken in India. Cover both traditional and non-traditional areas along with important facts related to each.
- Draw the thematic map showing the coffee-producing states of India.
- Thereafter, discuss elaborately the factors influencing the location of the coffee industry in India.
- Link suitable examples to elucidate.
Conclusion- Mention the export growth of Indian coffee and what measures are being taken by the government to further promote the growth and development of the coffee industry.
Introduction: Among the plantation crops of India, coffee is the second most important beverage crop, only next to tea. Having origins in Ethiopia, coffee was introduced in the Baba Budan Hills of Karnataka in India in the seventeenth century. Currently, India contributes nearly 3% of the global coffee production and features as the seventh larger coffee producer. India majorly produces two varieties of coffee- Arabica and Robusta which have high demand in the international market.
The Body-
Distribution of coffee production in India
Traditional Coffee Producers in the Country:
In India, coffee is traditionally grown in the region of Western Ghats, particularly in the Southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
1. The highest contribution comes from the state of Karnataka, which leads with about 70% of the total coffee production in the country. The majority of coffee production within Karnataka comes from Kodagu and Chikmagalur districts.
2. Kerala is the second largest producer, with nearly 23% share in coffee production. Within Kerala, the important coffee-producing districts are Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kollam, Kannur and Palakkad.
3. Tamil Nadu is the third largest producer of coffee in India, contributing around 7%. About half of the state’s coffee (mainly arabica) is produced in Nilgiri district. Other regions include Madurai, Tirunelvi, Salem and Coimbatore.
4. Maharashtra (Satara and Ratnagiri) also grows some coffee.
Non-Traditional Areas of Coffee:
The tribal development policies of the government have caused coffee cultivation to spread to non-traditional areas, especially in the Eastern belt of India. States like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, as well as in the Northeast states.
FACTORS DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF THE COFFEE INDUSTRY
Coffee cultivation is majorly confined to the Western Ghats region of India on account of the following factors that prove conducive to the growth of this export-oriented beverage crop of India:
1. Climate- Coffee is a tropical crop that does not thrive in cold temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Hence, the Southern states of India, being in the tropics, provide favourable conditions for the crop, such as ideal temperature between 15-28 degree Celsius and rainfall ranging between 150 to 250 cm, thanks to the geographical location of these states. It does not thrive under freezing conditions, frost, snowfall or high temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and strong sunshine.
The Western Ghats intercept the monsoonal winds and cause orographic rainfall, which is suitable for the growth of coffee. However, the leeward side of western ghats for growth of coffee is preferred so as to prevent exposure to heavy rainfall that harms the crop.
2. Local wind- “Cherry Blossom” is a local wind that blows in the interior of Karnataka during the months of March and April. It promotes the growth of coffee. Dry weather facilitates the ripening of berries of coffee.
3. Relief and aspect- Coffee production and yield are higher in regions with higher elevations like Baba Budan Hills, Nigiri Hills, Cardamom Hills, Araku Valley, Anamalai Hills etc. In general, an altitude of above 600 m is preferred for coffee cultivation. The northern and eastern aspects of the slopes are preferred, which shield the coffee plants from strong afternoon sun and south-west monsoon winds.
The slopes also ensure water does not remain stagnant, which is harmful to coffee plantations, unlike the low-lying coastal regions, which are more susceptible to inundation and stagnant waters.
4. Shade- India cultivates its entire coffee under shade which is provided by the thick canopies of evergreen leguminous trees. The shade trees prevent soil erosion on sloping terrain.
5. Favourable soil- Coffee can thrive in well-drained, rich friable loams. The laterite and red soils of coffee-producing states are basically rich in iron, potash and calcium, which supports plantation crops such as coffee.
6. Labour- Coffee production is a labour-intensive task that requires skilled and cheap labour for sowing, transplanting, pruning, plucking, drying, grading and packing of coffee. The non-traditional areas such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Tripura benefit from the availability of abundant labour availability.
7. Colonial inertia- British planters established coffee estates in South India, particularly in Chikamangalur (Karnataka), Manantody (Wayanad) and Shevroy, Nilgiri hills during the 1830s, given that the regions provided suitable agro-climatic conditions for this plantation crop.
8. International trade- The superior quality of Robusta and Arabica coffee from India enhances their export value. The submerged nature of the Western coast of India supports the development of ports such as Mangalore and Kozhikode ports which export Indian coffee to countries such as the USA, UK, Russia, Australia, Europe etc.
Conclusion:
The efforts of the Coffee Board of India has enabled India to increase its share of coffee exports, making India the 5th largest coffee exporter in the world during 2021-22. Indian coffee exports make 6% share of the global coffee exports. To further facilitate ease of doing business and mechanisation in coffee plantations in India, the government mulls replacing the decades-old Coffee Act with the new Coffee (Promotion and Development Bill) 2022.
Additional Information:
ARABICA COFFEE
- Mild coffee
- Oval-shaped beans
- More caffeine content, hence more acidic
- More aromatic and has a higher market value than Robusta
- Grown at higher altitudes than Robusta
- Temperature needed: 15-25 degree Celsius (cool and equitable climate)
- More suitable for large holdings
- Requires more shade than Robusta
- Harvested between November to December
ROBUSTA COFFEE
- Stronger coffee
- Circular-shaped beans
- Lesser caffeine content, less acidic, more anti-oxidants
- More strength, used for instant coffee and making various blends
- Grown at relatively lower altitudes of up to 600 m
- Temperature needed: 20-30 degree Celsius (hot and humid climate)
- Smaller farms are suitable as compared to Arabica
- Harvested between December to February
