Odisha has decided to begin coffee cultivation on one lakh acres of land in the next 10 years buoyed by the demand for its coffee brand in the national and international markets.

At present, Odisha’s coffee is sold under the Koraput Coffee brand. The state government has planned to spend nearly Rs 1,100 crore in the sector in the next five years.

At present, coffee is being cultivated on 10,000 acres. Besides, the Odisha government has also decided to engage women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in raising coffee nurseries.

Chief secretary P.K. Jena said: “Coffee has emerged as one of the most profitable commercial crops among the farmers of the state due to its encouraging prospects, financial benefits and rebuilding of the eco-system.

“Odisha has a high potential for commercial coffee cultivation due to its ideal agro-climatic condition that can provide a viable alternative to traditional cropping patterns of tribal areas.”

He said: “The scheme coffee plantations for sustainable livelihoods (CPSL) will
be implemented in six districts of the state namely Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Gajapati.

The existing state coffee area of 10,000 acres is a programme to be expanded by 10 times over 10 years.

More than 50,000 farm families will benefit from the scheme.”

To implement the scheme (CPSL), the state government envisages an expenditure of Rs 1,114 crore from 2022 to 2023 to 2026-27, out of which Rs 567 crore will be met through state plan and Rs 577 crore will be met through convergence with other schemes.

“Beyond the initial period of five years, value addition and marketing aspects will also be included in the scheme,” the official maintained.

The scheme will be implemented by the director of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department.

During the implementation period, the directorate will also collaborate with
quality resource organisations like coffee board and others for productivity enhancement, capacity building, infrastructure and brand development.

At present, the state government is promoting its coffee brand under “Koraput Coffee” to promote the indigenously grown beans, the bulk of it coming from tribal-dominated Koraput. The Koraput coffee is known exclusively for its rich taste and local flavour.

The 100 per cent Arabica coffee is indigenous to Odisha as everything about the beans is sourced from the state itself. Koraput coffee’s flavour has its own uniqueness.

The Koraput coffee is produced at 2500 to 4200 feet above the sea level. “As the coffee beans are fatty, their flavour is aromatic, smooth and lightly acidic. It has a long-lasting effect,” officials said.

Coffee in Koraput has its history.

Coffee plantation was done in 1954 to arrest the problems caused by siltation near the Machkund dam in Koraput district. But no one then had thought of its economic value till the 1990s.