Karnataka: Planters worry as rain spoils coffee cherries

Hassan: Cyclone induced rains have spoit the ripe fruits in the Arabica coffee plantations in Madikeri, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts thus bringing down the yield and affecting the quality of coffee seeds.

Pouring out woes of coffee planters on account of excess rains, Jagannath, a coffee planter in Ballupet of Hassan, said fruits usually ripen in November, but this time the ripening of fruits started in September itself because of the prevailing heat conditions in the region. By mid October rains started to lash the region which damaged ripened fruits and have now pushed planters into severe financial problems who were otherwise expecting a good crop yield this time.

To add to their worries, Mr Jagannath said, “Rains continued with the cyclonic effect and planters were not in a position to pick the fallen ripe fruits.” Apart from rains, the months of October and November being festive seasons, labourers were not available to pick the fallen fruits. Similar problems have hit Arabica planters in Somwarpet of Kodagu, Hassan and Mudigere of Chikkamagaluru in particular.

The coffee planter estimated a loss of around Rs 500 crore in Karnataka alone owing to excess rainfall this year and wants the state government to come to their rescue by announcing loan waiver of coffee planters. To make matter worse, coffee planters who grow Robusta variety have also started to witness early ripening of fruits this season.

Besides, coffee price in the market which was around Rs 12,000 for 50 kg last year has fallen to around Rs 6,800 this time, making things worse for the coffee planters and driving them to debts, said Jagannath.

Sources in the Coffee Board, Hassan told Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday said they had brought the damages to the coffee plantations to the notice of senior officials but refused to comment on the extent of loss in the region. At the Coffee Research Station, Balehonnur, officials said they have taken-up assessment of loss and a final picture would be available in a week’s time on the extent of loss.

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