Coffee production in India began in the 17th century and has since grown significantly. India produces two primary types of coffee beans - Arabica and Robusta - which are grown across several states. While production rose steadily from the 1950s to 1980s, it has faced challenges including labor issues, land management problems, pest infestations, and lack of infrastructure. To strengthen the industry, improvements are needed in cooperative societies, certification programs, social services for workers, and use of technology to connect producers and processors. With a focus on quality, specialization, and collective action, coffee could become a more economically viable crop for India.

1. Coffee bean
production in
India
By,
Harshvardhan Melanta
TYBA, Roll No: 99 Div: A

2. Origins of Coffee
 Coffee drinking first became
popular in Yemen in the 15th
century
 Brought to India by a Muslim
saint, Baba Budan in 1670
 First plantation was
established in 1840
 British colonial presence
flourished coffee plantations
for exports
 1942, to regulate export
Coffee Board of India got
established
 Controlled sale of coffee but
after 1993 it got liberalised

3. The Coffee Plant
 Arabica and Robusta are the primary
coffee beans used in India
 Coffee is grown under shade
Robusta Arabica

4. Where is Coffee Grown?
 Category I: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
 Category II: Andhra Pradesh, Orissa
 Category III: North East

5. Coffee production since 1950
 Grew from 18893 MT in 1950-51 to
110231 MT in 1970-71
 Decade of 1980s saw a slight average fall
from 118646 MT to 118053
 But rose after 1990s

6. Sale of Coffee
Prices valued as
compared to
LIFFEE and ICE
Middle men at
local and state
level, Hullers etc
Export Market Domestic Market
In loose, instant
soluble packets
at individual level
In small and big
cafes

7. Various stakeholders in Coffee bean
production

8. Problems in Coffee Growing
 Labour: low wages, constant
migration, no expertise
 Challenges in land: different
rules governing land use,
agricultural policies, high cost
of land
 Irrigation: 93% coffee
plantations irrigated by rainfall
 Week café chains in India
due to which coffee
plantations are not able to
commercialise their produce
efficiently
 Pest problem: Coffee
constant infested by white
borer, berry borer leading to
low production.
A Coffee borer beetle

9. Recommendations/Solutions
 Need to strengthen local cooperative
societies by providing proper and
timely assistance
 Need improving infrastructure
 Standardisation of product on locally
contextual certification mechanisms
that would actually benefit the small
producers
 Improving social infrastructure this
can be done by bringing workers
under Plantation Labour Act so they
are not deprived of basic access to
education, health, shelter etc
 Use of ICT (Information and
Communication Technology tools) to
link producers to processors

10. Conclusion
 Need to make coffee a highly economically viable area
 More focus on quality, specialisation of local brands,
using more of ICT tools to make its position in global
market.
 Collective actions of producers and farmers are to be
encouraged to increase their bargaining power
THANK YOU!!