GI Certification for five varieties of Indian coffee

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, recently awarded Geographical Indication (GI) to five varieties of Indian coffee.

They are : Coorg Arabica coffee grown specifically in the region of Kodagu district in Karnataka, Wayanaad Robusta coffee grown specifically in the region of Wayanad district located in the eastern portion of Kerala, Chikmagalur Arabica coffee grown specifically in the region of Chikmagalur district located in the Deccan plateau in Malnad region of Karnataka, Araku Valley Arabica coffee described as coffee from the hilly tracks of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha region at an elevation of 900-1100 Mt MSL. The coffee produce of Araku, by the tribals, follows an organic approach in which they emphasise management practices involving substantial use of organic manures, green manuring and organic pest management practices, Bababudangiris Arabica coffee grown specifically at the birthplace of coffee in India located in the central portion of Chikmagalur district. This coffee is also called high grown coffee which slowly ripens in the mild climate and thereby the bean acquires a special taste and aroma.

The Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee, a unique specialty coffee from India, was given GI certification earlier. In India, coffee is cultivated in about 4.54 lakh hectares by 3.66 lakh coffee farmers of which 98% are small farmers. Coffee cultivation is mainly done in the Southern States of India: Karnataka – 54%, Kerala – 19%, and Tamil Nadu – 8%. Coffee is also grown in non-traditional areas like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha (17.2%) and North East States (1.8%).

India is the only country in the world where the entire coffee cultivation is grown under shade, handpicked and sun dried. India produces some of the best coffee in the world, grown by tribal farmers in the Western and Eastern Ghats, which are the two major bio-diversity hotspots in the world. Indian coffee is highly valued in the world market and sold as premium coffee in Europe.

The recognition and protection that comes with GI certification will allow the coffee producers of India to invest in maintaining the specific qualities of the coffee grown in that particular region. It will also enhance the visibility of Indian coffee in the world and allow growers to get maximum price for their premium coffee, according to a POB release.