Category Archives: Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

The future of specialty coffee in India looks bright with Rasulpur Coffee Estates

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Rasulpur (Kodagu District), KARNATAKA :

In my previous article, I featured an Ethiopian coffee export company who ran her business based on trust. This is factored in two ways; dealing with her farmers and clientele. In this day and age, we can learn a thing or two by understanding the wisdom behind why some people do the things they do, treading a harder path and not resort to shortcuts. They are in it for the long term, not focused on the short term gains. I have nothing but high regard for individuals like Medina.

Continuing a similar conversation, I have been focusing on what exactly is happening at the farm level by getting in touch with the producer directly. In this article, I talk to the owner of a coffee estate farm based in India. Sumaira gives us an insight about how her family’s coffee estate started in the late 18th century, processing techniques employed on her farm, the specialty coffee movement in India, and much more.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and Rasulpur Coffee Estates?

I am Sumaira, the owner of  Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters . We are located in the Rasulpur village, Coorg district, in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. My entrepreneurship journey has had its shares of ups and downs. I took up a career as an interior designer and worked as a business head for a furniture empire in India. Later on, I moved to the UAE and explored the real estate industry and the coffee sector. I envisioned starting up something of my own, being from a family of coffee planters and having the self-confidence and determination to start my own business. Something clicked the moment I realized how the coffee industry is growing day-by-day.

To add, I am a fifth generation coffee planter who introduced specialty coffee at our estate. We introduced better equipments and techniques, and new processing and fermentation methods which I’ll get into a little later. A laboratory is set up for roasting and cupping to create different roast profiles and new blends at our estate. We believe in helping and encouraging our coffee community, especially the neighboring small and marginal coffee growers to analyze their coffees, and improve their harvesting and processing methods to fetch a better price for their coffee.

The journey of Rasulpur Coffee Estates started in the late 18th century when our ancestors migrated to the Western Ghats of India i.e. Coorg at the time of the British rule, as their main occupation was trading in coffee and spices. They travelled to different parts of Coorg, as they developed a liking towards coffee estates and the greenery, purchased plenty of estates, learnt the methods of coffee cultivation, and started exporting coffee to foreign countries. England was one of the major countries to which coffee was exported to from our estates in that period with the help of the Coffee Board.

We named the estate and brand ‘Rasulpur Coffee’ after the village, Rasulpur, which is on the banks of the Kaveri river in Kodagu district is named after Mr. Rasul Khan, our first generation planter. He cleared the land, started cultivation, built dams for irrigation, made the place livable and initiated agricultural works. Looking at his abilities and progress, the government named this village after him.

In time, our second, third and fourth generation planters purchased more coffee plantations and improved the methods of cultivation, processing, and introduced pulping and irrigation. An R&D team was also set up and a variety of experiments are conducted to this day. The goal here is to enhance the quality of the crops, and advance the processing and post harvesting methods. Our coffee is featured in auctions, supplied for projects, sold locally and exported to wholesalers, cafes, and restaurants. We also ferment micro lots as per requirements from our roasters and young entrepreneurs who are venturing into the coffee industry.

What kind of processing is done on the farm?

Processing on our farm is done in three different ways along with few specialty processing methods, all of which change the sweetness, body and acidity of brewed coffee. These are natural/sun dried, washed, and honey processed.

  • Natural/sun dried process. A natural processed coffee, also referred to as dry processed, is a traditional yet common way to process coffee today. Originating in Ethiopia, it involves drying out freshly picked coffee cherries with the seed still inside. To do this, we place the cherries on drying beds in the sun. These beds are either patios or raised drying tables. The cherries have to be rotated and turned to prevent mold, and takes about seven to eight days to ferment. During this time, the sugars and mucilage (the sticky substance that coats the seed) will latch onto the seeds, develop flavours and make them sweeter. Once the coffee is dry, a machine separates the pulp from the seed. Natural coffees are heavy bodied, and have deep, complex tasting notes. This development comes from the way the cherry ferments differently. Natural processed coffees can be difficult to replicate because of the inconsistencies in fermentation. However when done right, these coffees can also be some of the sweetest you’ll taste. It is juicy, syrupy and well worth the extra effort.
  • Washed process. Unlike natural, washed processed coffees are called the opposite, i.e. wet processed. In this scenario, machines called pulpers remove the seeds from the cherries before drying them. However, it is not just any cherry that gets the seed removal treatment. These cherries must have the perfect amount of ripeness to make sure they are sweet enough. To accomplish this, they go through a sorter and are segregated according to density. Once these pulpers remove the skin and pulp from the seeds, they are placed in tanks full of water. The water separates the rest of the mucilage and fruit caked onto the seed. Finally, the seeds are dried on the beds in the sun. Washed processed coffees have cleaner, and more crisp tasting notes when compared to natural processed coffees. The body of a brewed washed coffee is lighter. There is typically more brightness as well, because of a cleaner acidity that balances out the sweetness of the coffee. They are just as fruity as natural coffees, but the flavor notes are easier to differentiate.
  • Honey processed. This method is a combination of both natural and washed. It is a rare and demanding method, and not as commonly practiced as the previous two. However, it produces a unique cup of coffee, with flavours similar to both of the previously described processing methods. During honey processing, a pulper removes the seed from the cherry before it undergoes a drying process. However, it does not go into washing tank to remove the mucilage. That mucilage, which is what the ‘honey’ refers to stays on the seed and is now dried in the sun. The amount of mucilage left behind determines the sweetness, and there are even machines to control the amount on the seed. Like natural process, the seeds are dried on beds. The flavor components of honey coffees are varied and complex. Like washed coffees, they have lighter body and are very syrupy and sweet. Acidity is present but more mellow when compared to washed coffees.
  • Specialty processing. This is an emerging field and we use unique methods like anaerobic, aerobic, natural fermented, and fruit fermented to name a few. We ferment our coffee in a temperature controlled environment, with or without oxygen, followed by controlled drying to bring out unique and funky flavors out of the coffee.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

What is the current state of the specialty coffee industry in India?

The coffee culture in India has evolved over the past decades. The nostalgia-inducing coffee houses were popular meeting grounds until the 1980’s. In the 90’s, cafe culture took over the country and coffee became the trendy drink to try.

Cafes are becoming the primary hangouts for youngsters and coffee found an emerging and appreciative audience. In the past two decades, we have seen a surge of cafes all over the country. They have materialized as a central hub for meeting, whether casual or business, and also doubling up as co-working spaces.

The 2020 pandemic impacted the industry In multiple ways and its effects were manifold. Logistics of coffee exports are pretty bad even today. Traditional coffee plantation owners who supply heavily within India and export to Europe are left with excess stock of coffee that could no longer be shipped to international markets.

Coming to the Indian coffee space, in recent years, the spotlight is on specialty coffee. This movement is picking up speed with many brands and roasters setting up shop. Analysis gives us a deeper understanding on how speciality coffee has emerged as the current buzzword in coffee circles. Current generation and millennials have emerged as the major chunk of consumers of specialty coffee within India.

Increased awareness and interest about coffee augmented by growing exposure to worldwide trends due to rising international travel and social media saw many of them exploring specialty coffee and manual brewing techniques. Lockdowns put a halt to the possibility of exploring cafes and thus many coffee consumers in the country turned to home brewing.

Many retail specialty coffee brands saw skyrocketing sales in 2020 as consumers invested in manual brewing equipment ranging from French Press, Moka Pots, Chemex and Aeropress. The new generation of coffee consumers respect the people behind the product, want to better understand the ‘farm to cup’ journey and are willing to invest in educating themselves on all nuances of coffee.

A few years back, this was largely unheard of. Farmers were just one aspect of the coffee supply chain, but hardly ever found the spotlight on them. Now plantation owners are keen on sharing their stories and experiences, information on their crops and the work they put in to make that perfect cup of coffee.

One can safely say that specialty coffee will not just be a passing trend, but en route to becoming one of the mainstays of the Indian coffee space in the coming decade.

I think there is a lack of communication between the consumers and farmers. I know some of the consumers, including me, have started to pay attention to where exactly the coffee is coming and from which farm. What do you think can be done to fill this gap?

The missing ingredient is awareness. People need to be educated about Indian coffee. The new-generation farmers need to collaborate with the Coffee Board of India and conduct events to promote coffees originating from India within the country and internationally.

Joint efforts need to be made by all coffee enthusiasts to encourage the consumption of coffee by making people understand the benefits of drinking coffee. The government has to support and help promote farmers to come forward and establish their own brands.

Being honest and transparent ensures the consumers and clients knows about the past, present and the way you are going to build a future. Bringing credibility to the table builds trust factor for the brand with the consumers.

I know some of the issues the farmers are facing currently are the increasing production costs, what steps are you employing to change that? Have you increased the price of your coffee to reflect that?

Whether we like it or not, coffee is getting more expensive. It’s important to look at some of the reasons why this is happening, before you potentially do one of the following:

  • Buy less sustainable and ethical coffee because it’s cheaper or
  • Lay blame on the wrong people for higher prices.

There are many factors influencing the cost of coffee from climate change, disruptions to global shipping, consumer demand, and packaging cost. While the need to use more environmentally-friendly packaging for coffee cups and bags is real, so too is the cost for shops switching to compostable or recyclable materials. We have also witnessed fluctuating shortages of packaging stock forcing some companies to find more costly short term solutions to packaging which comes at a higher cost.

Lastly, coming to the cost of quality, producing coffee of higher quality simply costs more. Coffee must be cared, harvesting and processing is hard work. It requires time and physical effort if you want to achieve the highest quality standards. You can’t have it both ways.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

What are your thoughts on transparency? Has it benefitted you in any way?

Yes, by ten-fold. Transparency has improved our overall trust factor in this industry. It solves many problems and even stops disasters before they happen. It expands relationships, increases productivity, strengthens innovation, and improved our revenue.

What is the future of specialty coffee?

By far, the most interesting and exciting coffee segment of the moment is specialty coffee. It is rapidly expanding in India and across the globe as consumers continue to seek out the best cup of coffee to enjoy.

When it comes to coffee quality, specialty coffee is the ‘cream of the crop’ and is likened to fine wines due to its distinctive characteristics and delicious flavour that can only be achieved under certain growing conditions.

In today’s market, specialty coffee has become an intricate science and a global phenomenon that is seeing rapid growth across all sectors. More estates are coming into this specialty game, that will give ‘Indian specialty coffee a lot of mileage.’

What do you do in terms of R&D on Rasulpur Estate

We are currently doing research on developing a hybrid plant which is resistant to white stem borer and leaf rust. These are the two biggest pests and diseases faced by all Arabica growers throughout the world. International Coffee Organization (ICO) is working with different countries to find a solution for this.

This R&D program has been ongoing for the past four years on a 40 year old, 30 ft tall, Arabica plant labelled by us as Rasulpur Arabica. So far, the results look promising and it is resistant to these diseases. We have propagated progenies of this plant by clonal cutting, seed and tissue culture, and cross-bred this plant with other varieties of Arabica.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

About Rasulpur Coffee Estate

Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters is based out of Rasulpur village in Coorg district in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. The Estate is run by Syeda Sumaira, a fifth generation coffee planter and entrepreneur.

Fun fact: Coffee farms are the best place to get first hand knowledge about the beverage, how it is grown, harvested and processed. Rasulpur Coffee Estates organizes coffee tours, get in touch with them to find out more.

source: http://www.fltrmagazine.com / FLTR / Home> Insight> People / by Naveed Syed / August 11th, 2022

Siddaramaiah to visit Kodagu to launch developmental programmes

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Records, All, , , , , , , ,

District secretary has told officials to prepare proposals for essential works and submit them during the CM’s visit; measures to be taken for securing ‘GI’ tag for Coorg honey.

Siddaramaiah | Photo Credit: File Photo

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be visiting Kodagu on January 25 to participate in the launch of various development works.

In view of the visit, district officials have been asked to prepare proposals for works that are essential for the district, and submit the reports. In this connection, secretary in-charge of Kodagu district N.V. Prasad held a meeting with officials in Madikeri on Saturday. He also reviewed the progress of various development works.

Mr. Prasad asked the officials to prepare a proposal for establishing a law college in Kodagu as the district currently lacks one.

Under a programme, law graduates belonging to SC/STs will get a financial assistance of ₹10,000 a month for a period of two years. However, no graduates from Kodagu are available for availing the benefit, said Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Shekar. The official brought this to the notice of the Secretary.

When District Surgeon Nanjundaiah said there is no college for physiotherapy courses in Kodagu, the secretary asked him to submit a proposal.

During his visit, Mr. Siddaramaiah will inaugurate a KSRTC depot in Kushalnagar and also launch various development works. The heads of various departments shared details on the programmes scheduled in their respective departments that are going to be launched. Indira canteens will also be launched.

An official from ITDP said Kodagu has 11 ashram schools, nine hostels, one Morarji Desai School and one Eklavya Model School. In total, 1,500 students are studying in these schools. After SSLC, a hostel for the students under ITDP was necessary, he added.

Honne Gowda’s suggestion was considered by the secretary who asked him to submit a proposal in this regard.

He also sought land for landless tribals in every GP.

The deputy director of the Department of Horticulture was asked to explore the possibilities of securing a GI tag for honey that is marketed under the name ‘Coorg Honey’. It’s an initiative of the farmers’ consortium and the matter will be discussed with the group, the DD told the meeting.

The district secretary also collected details on the progress of the guarantee schemes, including Shakti, and others.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / January 21st, 2024

KVIC through RE-HAB project of the Honey Mission Programme aims to reduce elephant attacks on humans and farmers’ crops

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Records, All, ,

Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, KVIC distributed live Bee Colonies, Bee-keeping equipment and 200 Bee-Boxes to the trained beneficiaries at Sulia at Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka under the RE-HAB Project, an initiative under the Honey Mission Programme of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Under the Project RE-HAB, “Bee-fences” are created by setting up bee boxes in the passage ways of elephants to block their entrance to human habitats. The boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from moving further.

This is a cost-effective way of reducing human-wild conflicts without causing any harm to the animal. It is scientifically recorded that elephants   fear the bee swarms that can bite their sensitive inner side of the trunk and eyes. The collective buzz of the bees annoys elephants which force them to return.

Speaking on this occasion Shri Manoj Kumar said “It was seen that Bees help the farmers in arresting the encroachment of elephants in their agricultural fields and destroy them.Not only this, some precious lives are also lost in that condition. Taking an initiative, KVIC initiated a pilot project with the Technical assistance of the College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Kodagu District and the results were encouraging. Hence, 6 such projects were sanctioned in the most wanted states namely Assam, Maharastra, west Bengal, Orissa, Uttarkhand apart from Karnataka.”

  Under the RE-HAB farmers are trained in bee-keeping and each of them are supplied with 10 Bee boxes and installed in the elephant corridors so bee boxes and bee hives are placed in the Elephant corridor to restrict elephants from approaching the agricultural field.  This Pilot project has shown very good results in Ponnampet. This project has also helped in the increasing agricultural output due to enhanced pollination as well as Honey Extraction, he informed.

Chairman, KVIC also emphasised the farmers to take benefit of the scheme for it’s long-term advantages. Speaking on this occasion he also shared in details  about the PMEGP Scheme ok KVIC which  has enhanced Loan ceiling  from Rs 25.00 Lakhs to Rs 50.00 by the Prime Minister and encouraged the women and rural youth to take up the scheme.

(Release ID: 1892452)

source: http://www.pib.gov.in / Press Information Bureau, New Delhi / Home / byu Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises / January 20th, 2023

Honey festival in Madikeri

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The Kodagu district administration has planned a Honey Festival in the gardens of Raja Seat in Madikeri on December 24 and 25.

The festival, which has been planned in association with Kodagu Zilla Panchayat and Horticulture Department, is aimed at encouraging apiculture in Kodagu in view of the worldwide demand for Coorg honey.

The festival is expected to bring together not only people engaged in apiculture, but also scientists, societies and companies engaged in producing honey.

The festival will also feature demonstrations on apiculture and other technical knowledge of the field by local researchers and scientists from the College of Forestry and government officials, and exhibition stalls.

More information can be obtained from the Deputy Director of Horticulture Chikkera Pramod on 94831-10621 and Vasanth B.D. on 94490-75077.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / December 17th, 2022

Mysuru Entrepreneur Is National President Of Business Women Association

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysore/Mysuru:

Mysuru entrepreneur Kuppanda Chayaa Nanjappa Rajappa has been appointed as the National President of Association of Business Women in Commerce and Industry. She is a first generation rural woman entrepreneur and Founder-Managing Partner of Nectar Fresh. 

Nectar Fresh, backed by Khadi and Village Industry Board, has its unit in Srirangapatna, Mandya district. It offers various products like honey, jams, sauces, chia seeds and natural vinegar.

A recipient of various awards like CNBC-TV18 and Women Entrepreneur Award in 2014-2015, Chayaa was also honoured by Indian Federation of Culinary Association for breaking the monopoly of the international brands. She bagged the Business Person of the Year Award by Mysore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) in 2019. 

Nectar Fresh has been the first brand in India to be using the ‘Women Owned’ logo of ‘We Connect’. Their latest venture ‘Veeravrutham’ is the first social enterprise in ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ which will support over 3,000 tribals and rural artisans locally. Tribal and rural artisans’ products will gain place not only in the Indian market but will also find place in the international market.

Born to Paruvangada Nanjappa and Poly Nanjappa of Nalkeri village in Kodagu, Chayaa is married to Kuppanda Rajappa, who was the first businessman to bring in the concept of supermarket (Nilgiris) to Mysuru. The couple has donated one acre of land for a Bharat-Israel Study Centre through Diya Minora Foundation, a sister concern of Veeravrutham Foundation. It will be a culture and technology exchange platform between India and Israel. 

Chayaa is motivated by the principles of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and has implied the principles in her profession besides working in various fields apart from business. She is the first woman to hold a national-level position in Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and also holds a position in the State Committee of RSS’ Laghu Udyog Bharti.

She is a member of the executive committee of the R&D Institute for Food and Technology at Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) and is one of them from the industry to be chosen as part of the National Honey Mission. 

IIM Professors chose Nectar Fresh story as a case study for the Ivy League Competition, adding another feather to the cap of Nectar Fresh that grew up as a brand with ethics and quality than investing in marketing. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 25th, 2021

‘Agriculture Is A Profitable Occupation If Innovative’

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Pepper, Records, All, , , , , , ,

Progressive farmer and Rajyotsava awardee Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah shares his thoughts 

Madikeri:

Kodagu’s progressive farmer Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah of Nallur village near Ponnampet in the southern part of the district has won the Rajyotsava Award for agriculture.

Though coffee and pepper are the prominent commercial crops in Kodagu, Ganesh Thimmaiah has been growing both agricultural and horticultural crops in integrated farming methods and has scripted success.

He is actively involved in innovative agricultural practices since the last 30 years and had earlier served the Indian Army. After retirement from services, he took up agriculture in his 15-acre land and has grown more than 60 varieties of paddy.

 To gain additional income, he has a poultry farm and is also involved in apiculture and pisciculture. Apart from the regular crops of coffee, pepper, ginger, mango, orange and jackfruit, Thimmaiah has cultivated rambutan fruit.

In the integrated method in agriculture, he grows areca, coffee and paddy as main crops and a variety of vegetables and fruits and sub-crops. Thimmaiah has also been growing the ‘Beth’ plants required for honey bees and has implemented a mechanised system in agriculture.

At a time when more and more youths are showing interest in jobs and businesses, Ganesh Thimmaiah has earned name and fame as model farmer and has bagged many awards in the past. He won the National-level Babu Jagjivan Ram Krishi Samman Award. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, conferred the prestigious award on Thimmaiah on the occasion of its 92nd Foundation Day in 2020.

In April this year, he gave comprehensive training in agriculture to the batch of IAS officers at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.

 “I am honoured to be conferred with the prestigious Rajyotsava Award and this gives me an opportunity to innovate further. I have been involved in agriculture for three decades and there is a need of attracting more and more youths to agriculture as it is profitable if innovative,” he said.  

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 31st, 2022

5 souvenirs from Coorg that you must take home

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Records, All
Traveling to Coorg? Get your hands on these 5 items.

Coorg garners a lot of love and attention for its picturesque landscapes, coffee plantations, steep hills, lush forests, and countless streams.A favorite travel destination of many around the world, the “Scotland of India” has so much to offer that you just can’t get enough of.So if you’re visiting “Kashmir of the South”, here are five souvenirs you must get home.

Coffee cup of India

Coffee

As mentioned above, Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations. In fact, it’s known as the “Coffee cup of India”.The coffee here is aromatic, full-bodied, and tastes mild, so you must grab some for home. Additionally, Coorg also produces the world’s costliest coffee called civet coffee (kopi luwak) and is a major exporter of coffee beans including Arabica and Robusta.

Flavorful

Homemade wines

Homemade wines in Coorg are popular, utterly delicious, and won’t burn a hole in your pocket.These hearty concoctions feature not only grapes but also have the goodness of ingredients including ginger, apricot, pineapple, litchi, gooseberry, passion fruits, etc.Some even include saffron and dry fruits.You can score wines in flavors including pomegranate, cheeku, coffee, etc on your way back home.

Choco goodness

Homemade chocolates

Chocolates are among the most sought-after souvenirs that tourists buy in Coorg.These chocolates are homemade and feature 100% organic ingredients sourced from the plantations at this gorgeous hill station.They are available in a variety and are known to be irresistibly tempting.Although you can find them at all local stores, Choci Coorg is a place you must bookmark for chocolaty shopping.

The ‘sweet’ side of Coorg

Honey

Coorg was once the leading exporter of honey and its quality is absolutely second to none.The honey produced is cent percent organic, so you can easily buy some bottles and take home.However, before you purchase, make sure they feature an AGMARK as it ensures its quality.This will also help you steer clear of honey that’s adulterated and sold at exorbitant prices.

Information

What is AGMARK?

AGMARK is a certification for all agricultural products which ensures that they are of the highest quality, conform to hygiene standards, and are fit to use. The mark is given to fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals, honey, oils, ghee, spices, wheat, butter, flour, oilseeds, etc.

As spicy as it gets

Spices

Coorg’s agricultural scene is quite impressive as it’s blessed with a bounty of nature.The hill station offers an eclectic array of spices that you can use for cooking and get reminded of your #CoorgDiaries one bite at a time.So when you visit this idyllic destination, do shop for cardamom, black pepper, basil, cumin, oregano, rosemary, clove, thyme, mint, sage, etc.

Information

What else can you buy in Coorg?

Coorg is also famous for oranges, dry fruits, herbal oils, silk sarees, handmade soaps, flavored teas, wooden and coconut artifacts, traditional jewelry, etc.

Each of these items is easily available across the hill station and makes for the perfect souvenir that you can take home.

source: http://www.newsbytesapp.com / News Bytes / Home> News> Lifestyle News / by Anujj Trehaan / September 14th, 2022

Take up apiculture scientifically: College of Forestry head

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Leaders, Records, All
Participants at the training programme on apiculture at the College of Forestry in Ponnampet.

Apiculture helps in increasing the production of coffee and other crops, said College of Forestry head Dr Cheppudira G Kushalappa. 

He was speaking during apiculture training organised by the University Of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences and Kodagu Women’s Coffee Awareness.

There are ample opportunities for apiculture in Kodagu. The beekeeping should be taken up scientifically, he added.

Stating that honey production has declined in the district, he said there is a need to create awareness on apiculture. 

Kodagu Women’s Coffee Awareness secretary Anitha Nanda said there is a need to concentrate on apiculture along with coffee plantation. 

Dr R N Kenchareddy, the college extension wing head, said, “Those interested in apiculture will be given three months training. They will be given Rs 7,500 as allowance.” 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Ponnampet / January 17th, 2021

Bopaiah meets Gadkari, seeks highway expansion in Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Leaders, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
Former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah felicitating Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Madikeri on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Union Minister tells MLA to adopt ‘Nagpur model’ to improve yield of Kodagu oranges whose production is on the wane        

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has promised to look into the demand for highway improvement and expansion in Kodagu if a proposal in this regard came to his office from the State government.

Mr. Gadkari gave this assurance when former Speaker and MLA K.G. Bopaiah met him in Madikeri. Mr. Gadkari is on a private visit to Kodagu with his family members and was staying in a resort in Madikeri.

Mr. Bopaiah shared details on the highways and the steps to be taken for tourism development in the district. “The works will be considered on priority if the Centre gets the proposal on the list of works to be taken up for highway development,” the Minister told the MLA, at the meeting.

Mr. Gadkari spoke about Kodagu’s tourism potential and employment it brings to locals.

Mr. Bopaiah felicitated Mr. Gadkari and presented him with a book besides honey, spices and coffee for which Kodagu is famous. Mr. Gadkari complimented the purity and freshness of the honey.

Expressing concern over the drop in the yield of Kodagu oranges, the Union Minister told the MLA to take steps in this regard, creating an environment for rejuvenating the yield on the model developed in Nagpur which is also known for oranges, besides taking steps for improving the variety.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 13th, 2022

Honeycomb comes home all the way from Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Records, All

NGO Swastha Centre is training people with disabilities in beekeeping, giving them a source of income & sense of independence.

The establishment of the beekeeping society will ensure sustainable and inclusive living, says Arathy Somaiah, director, Swastha Institution | EXPRESS

Madikeri : 

In the misty hill country of Kodagu, the bee offers hope. Apiculture has been one of the main economic activities of the region, known for its coffee, pepper and tourism, while Coorg honey is said to be rich in medicinal properties.

Tapping into the ancient activity of bee-rearing, the Swastha Centre for Special Education and Rehabilitation in Kodagu is striving to establish a sustainable society for persons with disabilities, especially in the rural areas of the district. Started in the year 2003, Swastha Institution is managed by The Coorg Foundation Trust.

While educating students with special abilities has been the focus of the institution, it is also involved in providing vocational training to enable the rehabilitation of children. In a country where a day is observed each year to promote the wellness and rights of persons with disabilities, it can be challenging to create an inclusive environment for them, and keep it going too.

The community-based rehabilitation initiative of the institution is empowering many persons with disabilities (PwD) in the rural parts of Kodagu. What is unique is that the institution has introduced beekeeping and is training them in the vocation, said to be the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

“Receiving support from the Horticulture department, the institution first trained 25 students in beekeeping in 2017,” explained Arathy Somaiah, director of the institution. Though the students were trained in the vocation, opportunities to earn from it were bleak. Hence, the institution looked to establish an agrarian system to create opportunities for self-employment, which also promotes economic growth.

“The institution sought help from NABARD, and the 25 students were further trained for three years. Beehive boxes were handed over to them, and the first bee harvest was sold last year. The students earned incentives and have now set up beehive boxes in their homes,” said Arathy. To ensure that the students don’t face any challenges in beekeeping at home, the institution extended training to their parents too. Persons with disabilities were identified across Karike, Bhagamandala, Sampaje and Madenadu villages, trained in beekeeping and given beehive boxes.

“There is a government scheme where beehive boxes are provided at subsidised rates if residents provide RTC documents of the land. Through this scheme, beehive boxes were given to them, and they were trained by the horticulture department,” explained Arathy. The harvest from the community rearing in the district was collected by the institution; it was processed, purified and bottled at the Research and Development sector of Tata Coffee.

“The honey extracted and processed is free of adulteration, and marketed under the Swastha label. The profits are paid to the bee rearers. A trained staffer from the institution visits the rural areas once a month to help them handle the work of beekeeping, and helps them in the cleaning process. Once the harvest is ready, they help them extract and collect the honey. They have the option to market the harvest through Swastha or any other means,” she shared.

While the beekeeping initiative is running successfully, the institution is looking at providing them with holistic training. It aims to identify persons with disabilities in all the taluks, and establish a ‘Beekeeping Society of Persons with Disabilities’ soon in the district. The institution also plans to train them to plant bee-friendly trees and shrubs in rural areas. Kodagu has a large number of massive bee-nesting trees.

“The establishment of the beekeeping society will ensure sustainable and inclusive living. It will help generate self-employment, rural employment and economic growth,” concluded Arathy.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Pragna GR, Express News Service / April 10th, 2022