Coffee Board of India has embarked on a 10-year road map with a target to double the country’s coffee production and coffee exports by 2034, said board chairman M.J. Dinesh on Tuesday (November 19).
“It’s a 10-year mandate starting from 2024 to double our production and also double our exports by 2034. We will also increase the area under production during this period. However, the focus will be on creating best yielding varieties and increasing the production from existing plants through best practices and technology upgradation,” he said.
Addressing coffee growers at the Karnataka Planters’ Association annual conference held here on Tuesday, Mr Dinesh said these activities would include forming 100 FPOs (farmer producer organisations) across the country, of which 60 will be in Karnataka. These FPOs, expected to come up within a year, would create additional momentum for the commodity within the country and in global markets, he anticipated.
What is the offing
He further said that under the 10-year growth plan, the board would also identify 10,000 small coffee farmers who would grow speciality coffee varieties mostly targeted at export markets. “We expect these small farmers to come up with a wide range of speciality varieties that can fetch a premium in the global markets,” he added.
Under the 10-year market expansion plan, the board would also facilitate 10,000 coffee kiosks, mostly managed by women entrepreneurs, to increase the country’s per capita coffee consumption from 107 grams currently to 250 grams in 10 years, he further said.
He also said the board has an ambitious target of nearly trebling the coffee production from 3.7 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047.
Commenting on the possibilities of mechanisation, Mr Dinesh said currently, the growers’ community has been pending a whopping ₹ 1200 crore to ₹ 1300 crore to get the coffee harvested annually through manual labour. This expenditure could be significantly reduced through the use of harvesting machines, and IIT Kharagpur, in collaboration with the Coffee Board, has been working on the prototypes of some such machines.
“Overall, the 10-year plan will certainly give Indian coffees a sizable standing in the global markets. In addition, it will also redefine the coffee landscape of the country,“ he hoped.
KPA chairman K G Rajeev said the grower’s body has made a presentation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries seeking the inclusion of coffee under PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Presently, coffee farmers are not covered under insurance, while all other plantation crops are covered under insurance. The KPA has also sought assistance from the Govt to promote brand identity for coffee and tea emphasising their quality and unique characteristics. It has also sought exemption or reduction of customs duty on import of agriculture equipment.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Mini Tejaswi / November 20th, 2024
Jnanendra Das gives an account of the trajectory of coffee in the Indian Subcontinent as Filter Kaapi makes it to the TasteAtlas’ list at number 2!
Indian Filter Coffee or Kappi was ranked second best on TasteAtlas’s list of the best-rated coffee drinks in the world last month. Among the top three were Espresso Freddo from Greece in the third spot, while Cafe Cubano from Cuba grabbed the top spot. But how did coffee reach India?
Legend has it that coffee reached India in the late 17th century hidden inside the beard of Hazrat Shah Janab Allah Magatabi popular by his Sufi name Baba Budan. During his Hajj at that time, Baba Budan was exploring Yemen on his way back to India. In a port city there, he found people drinking this refreshing beverage that he found kept him sharp and awake. He went to find it was made from the beans of a plant. Unfortunately, the city authorities allowed people to take out only the roasted beans so that they couldn’t be germinated and planted elsewhere.
The name of the port you ask? Al Mokka (hence, mocha) in Yemen. The enterprising gentleman smuggled 7 beans (a number considered sacred in Islam) which he planted in a Chikmaglur (Karnataka) hill that later was named after him, Baba Budangiri or the Budan Hills. Coffee spread to Karnataka and commercial estates came up, gradually gaining popularity in India.
Even before this, ground coffee had reached India via the Mughals, creating a thriving café culture in the 16th century. Inspired by coffee traditions in Islamic cities like Damascus and Istanbul, “qahwa-khanas” or coffee houses sprang up in Old Delhi. Coffee, like the famous sticky-sweet brew at the Arab Serai (built in 1560 by Emperor Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu), became integral to the city’s cultural life.
There, poets and thinkers gathered to sip coffee and engage in animated discussions. However, visual records of these coffee houses are sparse, though Rembrandt, inspired by Mughal art, sketched scenes of coffee-drinking men from India. [Source: Spilling the Beans: The Islamic History of Coffee, by Neha Vermani]
In Southern India, coffee was popularised by the British sometime in the 1800s. First, it was commercially grown by the British for export and later became a choice of the Indian elites. Coffee gained nationwide popularity sometime in the mid-1940s, with the Coffee Board of India establishing the Indian Coffee House (ICH). Indians faced exclusion from British-run coffeehouses. In 1936, the Indian Coffee House (ICH) opened in Churchgate, Bombay [now Mumbai], to address this exclusion, bringing coffee culture to the masses.
Thankfully, instant coffee wasn’t an option back then, so coffee was made from freshly ground, roasted beans, capturing the full depth of flavours and essential oils that make it truly unique. Roasting coffee beans triggers the Maillard reaction, which releases over 800 flavour molecules. This includes pyrazines for a nutty, roasted aroma; aldehydes, adding sweet, fruity, and floral notes; and ketones, which create buttery, caramel-like scents. The South Indian coffee filter method preserves these flavours and essential oils better than other brewing techniques—such as the espresso maker, Aeropress, or pour-over—where paper filters can absorb some of the oils.
To this day, ICH across the country uses the filter coffee method to prepare their coffee beverages.
Coffee has a longer history in India than tea. By the early 20th century, large-scale cultivation had taken root in places like Coorg and Chikmagalur, helped by the rise of South Indian Brahmins, a new social elite in British bureaucracy, who championed filter coffee as a cultural staple. Ironically, while filter coffee became associated with this elite class, it was also blended with chicory, a practice introduced by the British to stretch coffee supplies during shortages. Rather than being seen as “adulteration,” however, chicory gained acceptance for the woody, caramel-like notes it added, creating a distinct flavour that sets filter coffee apart from espresso-style drinks.
Indian filter coffee (as the TasteAtlas ranks) is a preparation technique in which coffee is brewed with the use of a two-chambered coffee filter. The upper one with a perforated bottom is used to hold ground coffee and the bottom one in which brewed coffee is slowly dripped just by the force of gravity. No electricity or external force is required. There is also a tamper or a press that comes along with the filter set.
This brewing technique results in a richly-flavoured, full-bodied coffee that is usually mixed with milk and sweetened with sugar. It is traditionally served in a tumbler with an accompanying saucer (davara). Sometimes, the combination of coffee and warm milk is continuously poured from one vessel to another until it is aerated and becomes frothy.
Here’s a quick and simple recipe that many southern Indian households follow for authentic filter coffee, traditionally made with a mix of coffee and chicory (ideally an 80:20 ratio).
Ingredients (Serves 2)
1. 4 tbsp ground coffee
2. 200 ml boiling water
3. Sugar (optional)
4. Hot milk
Brewing Method
Step 1: Pack 4 tbsp ground coffee in the upper perforated chamber of your coffee filter, press it with the tamper and let it sit there.
Step 2: Slowly pour boiled water into the top chamber and let gravity do its magic.
Step 3: Wait 15–20 minutes for the decoction to collect in the lower chamber.
Serving
Add 1 tbsp of sugar to your tumbler, if desired.
Pour the decoction into the tumbler until it fills about one-third of the way.
Top up with warm milk. If you prefer it black, you can replace the milk with warm water for a bold, undiluted taste.
Pour the coffee back and forth between the tumbler and saucer to mix and create froth.
Enjoy your strong, frothy filter coffee, crafted with care and tradition!
There is life before and after you filter coffee. Once you have had great filter coffee, it is nearly impossible to go back to instant coffee. Coffee is a complex subject where every little thing matters but ‘Indian Filter Coffee’ makes it simple where you don’t have to buy expensive brewing kits or gadgets.
Finding a traditional filter and davara in Meghalaya may be challenging, but they’re available on various online stores for under a thousand rupees. As for the coffee itself, Meghalaya is blessed with altitudes over 4,000 feet and a unique climate, making it ideal for cultivating distinctive, high-quality coffee. Local brands like Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee, endorsed by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, are bringing Meghalaya’s indigenous coffee to the global stage. Other notable North Eastern brands like 7000 Steps and Naga Coffee are also producing some of the region’s finest coffee blends.
Consumption of caffeine should be in moderation. The Mayo Clinic recommends that most healthy adults consume less than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day. This is roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee.
Over centuries, coffee has seamlessly woven itself into India’s social and culinary fabric, where its preparation has become an art form, encapsulating flavours, aromas, and a distinct frothy texture that makes it unique. Today, Indian filter coffee is an evolving taste offering coffee lovers worldwide a simple yet deeply satisfying brew.
The first-ever ‘Coffee Dasara’ launched at Gandhi Maidan as part of the recently held Madikeri Dasara was a ground-breaking initiative to elevate the coffee industry and engage the farming community. This event raised awareness about the transformative changes in coffee cultivation and the various facilities available to growers.
Conceptualised by Dr. Manthar Gowda, MLA from Madikeri Constituency, the two-day event on Oct. 7 and 8 featured a diverse array of coffee enterprises and 34 departmental stalls, all dedicated to equipping growers in the district with essential information and resources.
Numerous organisations also participated, setting up stalls to offer supplementary materials and insights related to various agricultural products, including coffee, thereby fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Inaugurating the Coffee Dasara, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy affirmed the Government’s commitment to standing by farmers to ensure the comprehensive development of all agricultural activities, particularly coffee cultivation, which serves as the backbone of Kodagu’s economy.
He noted that coffee cultivation does not fall under the purview of the Agriculture Department or the State Government. In various regions of the State, paddy cultivation is widespread, supported by reservoirs. However, water availability often decreases as crops mature, leading to difficulties for farmers, he said.
“To tackle this issue, the State Government has decided to create farm ponds (krishi honda) in command areas, which will aid farmers during water shortage. The Government plans to grant permission for the construction of 250 farm ponds in Kodagu district,” he assured.
Escaping modernisation
As the chief guest, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, stressed that no region can escape the wave of modernisation. He underscored the need for balanced development while maintaining cultural roots.
Emphasising the promotion of coffee cultivation and industry, he advocated for the establishment of local coffee brands and raising awareness about domestic coffee consumption.
Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna praised the focus on coffee cultivation during the Madikeri Dasara celebrations, expressing hope that importance of coffee would continue to be emphasised in future Dasara festivals, spreading its significance throughout State.
MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda highlighted the numerous challenges faced by coffee growers and called for support, urging Ministers not to permit the conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land to preserve Kodagu’s agricultural heritage.
South Indian filter coffee
Coffee Board Chairman Dinesh Devabrinda announced a plan ‘from farm to market,’ aimed at doubling coffee production over the next decade while maintaining quality.
He noted that the Government of India recognises the significance of coffee and has allocated Rs. 307 crore to the Coffee Board for the development of the coffee industry. Of this, Rs. 19 crore will be provided to coffee growers in Kodagu through various assistance schemes.
Currently, the average coffee consumption per Indian is 30 cups. If this figure can be increased to at least 60 cups, internal coffee consumption could rise from 2,50,000 tonnes to 3,50,000 tonnes, significantly benefiting farmers.
He emphasised that South Indian filter coffee is among the best globally, and the Coffee Board is actively working on initiatives to promote this filter coffee on a worldwide scale.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkata Raja, Assistant Commissioner Vinayak Narwade, former MLC Veena Achaiah, Secretary of Karnataka Planters’ Association K. Rajiv Ganapathy, President of the Coorg Planters’ Association Nanda Belliappa, General Secretary of the Women’s Coffee Awareness Society Anita Nanda, Coffee Board Member Taluru Kishore Kumar, Coffee Board member, Kodagu Congress President Dharmaraj Uthappa, former President Vinod Shivappa, General Secretary of the Madikeri Dasara Committee B.Y. Rajesh Yellappa and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 16th, 2024
Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment.
The Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, is set to launch the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in October 2024. Built on the success of the 2023 World Coffee Conference in Bengaluru, which attracted over 2,400 delegates and more than 20,000 visitors, IICF aims to offer an even larger celebration of coffee culture.
The festival will span three major cities, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with preliminary events scheduled for Delhi (October 4-6), Mumbai (October 11-13), and Bengaluru (October 28-30). The grand finale will take place in Bengaluru from December 13-15, where India’s national coffee champion will be chosen to represent the country on a global stage.
Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment. The event will also include prestigious contests such as the National Barista Championship, the Brewers Cup Championship, and Coffee in Good Spirits, combining coffee and mixology.
SCAI President DM Purnesh expressed excitement, stating, “It gives us immense joy and satisfaction to bring the largest coffee festival to India. The country with an ever growing coffee drinking audience is a very important market for us and India does play a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities of India. Let the festival be a meeting ground of ideas and exchange of creative skills.”
source: http://www.bwhotelier.com / BW Hotelier / Home> F & B / by BW Online Bureau / October 07th, 2024
India’s robusta coffee prices skyrocket to Rs 10,080 per 50 kg, a historic high. Growers face challenges, but the surge brings relief. Supply-demand dynamics and shifts in production contribute to this windfall, offering hope for the industry.
India’s coffee industry is witnessing a windfall as robusta coffee bean prices skyrocketed to an unprecedented Rs 10,080 per 50 kg bag as of Friday. This surge marks a historic high since the establishment of coffee estates in the Western Ghats region during the 1860s by the British.
Unlike the relatively stable pricing of Arabica coffee, known for its creamy layer in a shot, robusta prices have typically ranged between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 per 50 kg bag for nearly 15 years.
The surge in robusta coffee prices has brought relief and joy to coffee growers, especially those with smaller holdings who primarily cultivate robusta due to its lower input costs compared to Arabica. These growers have faced challenges such as erratic rainfall, crop damage by wild animals, and rising input and labor costs over the past decade.
G Nithin, a coffee planter in Chikkamagaluru, expressed his delight, telling TOI, “I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that prices would reach the Rs 10,000-mark.” Nithin had already sold a portion of his stock in anticipation of further price increases.
According to Nanda Belliappa, chairman of the Codagu Planters Association, the surge in robusta coffee prices can be attributed to the basic principles of supply and demand. Factors such as decreased coffee production in major robusta-producing countries due to adverse weather conditions and changes in cropping patterns have contributed to this windfall for Indian growers.
Sources within the Coffee Board of India also attribute the price surge to major robusta coffee growers like Vietnam and Indonesia shifting to more profitable crops such as dragon fruits and avocados. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for coffee in the cosmetics industry.
In India, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu collectively contribute to 83% of coffee production, with Karnataka alone accounting for 70% of the total output. However, coffee plantations in Karnataka have faced challenges in recent years, with many farmers selling their land to real estate developers or converting it into tourism ventures due to diminishing returns and labor shortages.
Somaiah, a coffee farmer, told TOI, “There is a severe scarcity of skilled workers to tend to the estates, coupled with a steep increase in labor costs.” Planters have increasingly relied on migrant laborers from Bengal and Assam, who bring experience from working in tea estates.
Moreover, wildlife encroachment poses a significant threat to coffee plantations, with elephants, bisons, monkeys, and giant squirrels damaging crops in search of food and water.
Despite these challenges, the surge in robusta coffee prices offers a glimmer of hope for Indian coffee growers, signaling a potential turnaround for the industry after years of struggle.
source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> News> Business News> News> Economy / by ET Online / April 13th, 2024
In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages.
Bengaluru:
In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages. The farmgate price of robusta green coffee berries soared to a record ₹172 per kg in the Wayanad market, on Wednesday marking a significant increase from ₹115 per kg during the same period last year. Additionally, the spot price of Robusta Parchment coffee beans skyrocketed to an all-time high of ₹315 per kg, compared to ₹220 per kg in March 2023. Notably, in March 2022, the rates for raw fruits and parchment stood at ₹80 and ₹145 respectively.
In the Kodagu market, the price of robusta parchment surged to Rs 14,700 per 50 kg bag, setting a new milestone. This marks the first time that the price of cherry and parchment coffee has surpassed that of Arabica. Arabica cherry coffee is currently priced between 8000-8200 per 50 kg bag, while robusta commands a higher price of over 8600 -8700 rupees.
Experts attribute this remarkable surge in prices to a combination of factors, including a surge in global demand and crop failures in leading coffee exporting countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to extreme weather conditions. Despite challenges in yield, India’s coffee production is expected to reach 3.54 lakh tonnes, slightly up from last year’s production of 3.52 lakh tonnes, according to officials from the Coffee Board.
Former Coffee Board member, Dr. Sannuwanda Kaveerappa, predicts a further rise in robusta coffee prices, attributing it to crop destruction in Vietnam and Indonesia and the superior quality of Indian coffee compared to other regions. With Karnataka leading the way, accounting for 71% of the country’s coffee production, followed by Kerala (21%) and Tamil Nadu (5%), India remains a significant player in the global coffee market.
As coffee prices soar, it is anticipated that prices in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops will witness an upward trend in the coming months, potentially impacting consumers. This price hike may prompt consumers to shift towards other alternatives like tea. Additionally, the rise in robusta prices may lead Arabica growers to consider transitioning to robusta cultivation due to its lower maintenance costs and rarity of borer infestation. Market analysts anticipate further increases in coffee prices in the coming days, with the possibility of maintaining stability even in the face of minor fluctuations.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / March 28th, 2024
The Coffee Board, established by the Government of India at Manasagangothri premises over five decades ago to act as a link between the cultural city and coffee growing Kodagu district, is now being silently shifted to Chettalli in Kodagu district.
The then Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade A.C. George had inaugurated the Coffee Board Office, opposite the University of Mysore (UoM) main entrance gate facing Mysuru-Bogadi Road on Feb. 4,1972 in the presence of the then UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. Javaregowda (Dejagow). Since then, the Board has been working on coffee species development, bean development, seeds etc.
The Board also functioned as a training centre for Botany students of the UoM, JSS institutions and other Universities by appointing them as apprentice and providing them training on various aspects of coffee cultivation.
Now, the Board is being silently shifted to Chettalli in Kodagu and as a first step in this regard, the appointment of apprentices has been stopped.
Upon coming to know of its shifting, many apprentices of the Coffee Board have expressed disappointment over the shifting.
Pointing out that the Board was of great help to Botany students, they expressed apprehension that the shifting to Chettalli in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu, will surely hit its infrastructure and research studies.
They demand that the authorities drop the shifting in the better interests of research studies as well as coffee growers.
Sources said that the Board may be shifted to Chettalli in June or July once the Lok Sabha polls get over. Meanwhile, Botany students too have opposed the shifting move. Noting that it is pointless to shift the Board to Somwarpet’s Chettalli, they decried the justification given by the higher authorities who say that research has taken a hit.
They also said, it is hard to believe the version of the authorities, wondering how the hurdles that were not there for over 50 years, have surfaced suddenly.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 23rd, 2024
Price of robusta coffee has dropped due to supply shortage and global factors.
Farm workers harvesting coffee beans at a plantation in Wayanad district of Kerala. | Photo Credit: E.M. MANOJ
The robusta coffee farmers in south India are jubilant post-harvest with their produce fetching an all-time high price.
The farmgate price of raw robusta coffee berries touched a record ₹172 a kg in Wayanad market on Saturday, as against ₹115 a kg during the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, spot price of robusta coffee beans stood at ₹315 a kg, up from ₹210 during the same period in 2023. The price was ₹80 and ₹145 a kg for raw berries and beans respectively in March 2022.
Though the harvest is almost complete, there has been a huge shortfall in the supply of coffee to the market this year, thereby contributing to the increase in coffee prices, says sources.
Multiple factors
“We expect a decline of 30% in the production of robusta this year owing to climatic vagaries, especially the scanty blossom shower in robusta growing regions last year,” sources said.
A sharp decline in production of robusta coffee — nearly 2 million bags — in Vietnam, a major Robusta coffee growing country, has also attributed to the increase in price, the sources added. Robusta coffee production in Indonesia too dipped sharply this year, the sources added.
Notably, the price of Arabica variety of coffee has dropped below the price of robusta coffee. The farmgate price of the Arabica variety coffee was ₹305 per kg on Saturday. Though the Arabica variety always fetched a premium price in the market, it is the robusta variety that is witnessing an increase due to its low availability for the first time.
Farmers suspect that the production may decline by 25% to 30% next year too owing to a dearth of backup showers in many robusta coffee growing areas in the country.
Wayanad in Kerala, which is the largest robusta coffee producing district in the country after Coorg in Karnataka, received a rainfall of 29.3 mm in the first week of January. Major parts of the district received no rain since then.
The January showers helped in the blossoming of robusta coffee plants, farmers say. But the absence of backup showers, a major factor in the formation of berries, is a concern.
According to Coffee Board of India, the total production of coffee in the country during the 2022-23 fiscal was 3,52,000 tonnes, including 2,52,000 tons of robusta coffee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Kerala / by E M Manoj / March 24th, 2024
In a significant development for the Indian coffee sector, the Coffee Board of India organised a buyer-seller meeting at Dubai, marking a new chapter in the industry’s global expansion.
The event, held on the sidelines of Gulfood 2024, was jointly organised by the Indian Embassy in UAE and the Coffee Board of India. Speaking on the Occasion, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted Dubai’s strategic role as a global trade hub, and the upcoming Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali free zone as enablers for India’s global coffee ambitions. He also emphasized Dubai’s unique position as a logistical powerhouse, boasting a busy port and efficient airport, offering an ideal platform for Indian coffee producers to showcase their diverse blends directly to international buyers and establish lasting brands.
The meeting featured a presentation by KG Jagadeesha, CEO of the Coffee Board of India, who provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s coffee industry. He highlighted the vast coffee plantations spanning over half a million hectares, supporting millions of farming families, and the impressive production and export rates that surpass domestic consumption. Jagadeesh emphasized India’s significant contribution to the international coffee market, particularly as a leading exporter of instant coffee.
India’s coffee industry, with its balanced production of Arabica and Robusta beans, has witnessed remarkable growth since the establishment of the Coffee Board in 1950. Notably, 35% of the country’s coffee exports now comprise value-added and specialty coffees, showcasing a shift towards premium offerings. India’s coffee is unique in the sense that it is shade-grown and the Robusta variety is treated at par with Arabica in the Western market. This event not only celebrated the distinct flavors and rich heritage of Indian coffee but also marked a strategic move to leverage Dubai’s logistical strengths.
source: http://www.newsonair.gov.in / News Services Division, All India Radio / February 22nd, 2024
To promote capacity building in this niche field, the Coffee Board has sent a proposal to the govt to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence for Coffee’ in Bengaluru.
Image used for representational purposes only.
Bengaluru :
With coffee doing well on global price charts, there is an increasing demand for more skilled labour. To promote capacity building in this niche field, the Coffee Board of India has sent a proposal to the government to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence for Coffee’ in Bengaluru. Currently, the board has limited seats for its programmes and aims to introduce newer short-term courses for coffee enthusiasts.
Board Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Dr KG Jagadeesha said, “We run a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Coffee Quality Management (PGDCQM), which is highly sought after. It is run in the Coffee Quality Division in Bengaluru and students also visit the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in Chikkamagaluru for three months. Students get industry experiences such as visiting cafes, understanding roasteries and understanding the packaging and promotion. However, we can take only 15 individuals and the applications that come in are more than 500.”
The applicants are thoroughly reviewed based on sensory evaluation, interview and academic records and should have a bachelor’s degree in botany, zoology, food sciences, bioscience or agricultural sciences. The proposal submitted to the government is part of the five-year budgetary renewal during which the board lists down its vision and plans for the next term.
“The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) proposal entails an exclusive centre for coffee and various skilling and upskilling programmes,” Jagadeesha said.
‘Will train 5K grads to make espresso’
“Even these 15 people who pass PG Diploma are placed in multinational companies within days and some even go to the Middle East with promising career opportunities. We need more seats as the market is expanding,” Jagadeesha explained. The board is awaiting approval and has also requested for a new facility to hold classes for at least 100 select students.
It is also looking at several upskilling initiatives in the next five years and training around one lakh women from rural areas and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to make coffees the right way.
“We are also going to train 5,000 graduates on how to make espresso coffee and help them explore the opportunities in the coffee business,” the CEO said.
There is a severe shortage of baristas in the industry. Coffee Board has also introduced a programme of training 1,000 baristas in the next three years and has already trained 150 so far, he added.
The short-term course for coffee enthusiasts, called the ‘Kaapi Shashtra’, for the year is tentatively scheduled for March 18-22 (exclusive batches) and interested individuals can keep a watch on the website. The main objective of the programme is to impart skills related to latest technologies in coffee roasting.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Puran Choudhary / February 12th, 2024
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