Coffee Board conducts farm-level quality awareness programme for growers in Somwarpet

Somwarpet: The Coffee Board organised a capacity-building programme titled ‘Quality Begins at the Farm’ for coffee growers at the Central Coffee Research Sub-Station (CRSS) in Chettalli on October 27.

The programme, conducted under the Somwarpet Liaison Zone, brought together 24 pre-registered coffee growers from Somwarpet, Madapura, Suntikoppa and Shanivarsanthe.

The programme focused on improving coffee quality through scientific plantation management and appropriate harvesting and post-harvest practices. Experts highlighted the importance of selecting quality planting material, suitable coffee varieties and adopting scientific agricultural practices to establish quality-oriented plantations.

Sessions also covered soil health, balanced nutrient management and their role in bean development and quality. Participants were taken on a field visit to familiarise themselves with different coffee varieties and fruit characteristics.

The growers were also briefed on proper harvesting, handling and post-harvest processing methods, along with identifying common coffee defects, understanding their causes and adopting corrective measures.

The sessions were led by experts from the Coffee Board, including research scientists and certified coffee quality specialists.

The programme emphasised that coffee quality is determined not merely during curing or roasting but begins at the plantation itself. Through expert interactions and practical demonstrations, the initiative aimed to equip growers with knowledge to improve farm-level practices and enhance the overall quality of coffee.