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Karnataka, particularly the district of Kodagu, stands as a prominent coffee-growing region in India, contributing significantly to the country's coffee production. However, while the international coffee market has seen rising prices, which brings some relief to coffee growers, the Coffee Board of India has expressed concerns about the upcoming 2024-25 coffee production season. The forecast suggests a notable decline in coffee yields, casting a shadow over the optimism brought by the price surge.
How Are Climatic Changes Impacting Coffee Production in Karnataka?
The projected decline in coffee production can be attributed to a combination of extreme weather conditions, which have adversely affected the coffee plants and berries. Kodagu, also known as Coorg, along with other coffee-growing regions, has witnessed high temperatures, excessive rainfall, and landslides, all of which have contributed to significant crop losses.
According to The Hindu report, K.G. Jagadeesha, the CEO of the Coffee Board, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that "considerable loss" has occurred due to the soaring temperatures during April and May, followed by relentless rains in July and August. These climatic events have inflicted widespread damage on coffee plantations across key growing areas, severely impacting both the quantity and quality of the coffee harvest.
What Role Does Karnataka Play in India's Coffee Production?
Karnataka is the largest coffee-producing state in India, accounting for approximately 70% of the nation’s total coffee output. Kerala follows as the second-largest producer, contributing 23% to the national coffee production. The recent landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, which wiped out over 200 acres of coffee plantations, underscores the vulnerabilities faced by coffee growers in these regions due to environmental factors.
In response to the challenges posed by these adverse conditions, the Coffee Board has reached out to coffee-growing districts, urging them to form interdisciplinary teams to conduct thorough surveys of the plantations. The objective is to assess the extent of the losses and gather data within a month, which will be crucial for formulating support strategies for the affected growers.
What Are Coffee Growers Saying About the Potential Yield Losses?
K.G. Rajeev, Chairman of the Karnataka Planters’ Association, has shared his concerns regarding the potential yield losses, according to The Hindu report. He estimates that the key coffee belt, which includes Kodagu, Chikmagaluru, and Hassan districts, may experience a minimum yield loss of 15% to 20%. However, Rajeev suspects that the actual damage could be much higher, with a clearer understanding only possible after a month’s time.
"We endured a prolonged drought lasting 120 days," Rajeev explained. "In April-May, we witnessed the scorching of blossom clusters and fruit burn during their pinhead stage, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. Then, in July, we were hit with 35 inches of rainfall out of the 62 inches we’ve received so far this year."
This sequence of extreme weather events—drought followed by excessive rainfall—has led to berry dropping, stalk rot, and wet foot conditions due to flooding. In addition, landslides in areas such as Sakleshpur have resulted in significant losses of both plants and plantations, further exacerbating the challenges faced by coffee growers.
How Might These Challenges Affect India's Overall Coffee Production?
India’s coffee production for the 2023-24 crop year was approximately 3.6 lakh metric tonnes. However, with the climatic challenges faced this year, the 2024-25 production is expected to be significantly lower, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of coffee farming in the region.
For farmers in Kodagu, the situation is particularly dire. The recent heavy rains have not only caused widespread berry dropping but also triggered the onset of fungal diseases, further threatening the coffee crops.
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