Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address highlighted that Indian coffee is gaining growing global recognition.

• He also praised the transformative impact of coffee cultivation on local communities, particularly in Koraput (Odisha), Coorg and Chikmagalur (Karnataka), and the Western Ghats region.

Coffee Production in India

• Indian coffee is known for its shade-grown, handpicked and eco-friendly cultivation methods, giving it unique flavour profiles prized globally.
• Varieties Produced:

• • Arabica: Grown at higher altitudes, Arabica beans are prized for their superior flavor and aroma, commanding a higher market value.
  • Robusta: Known for its strength and higher caffeine content, Robusta beans are widely used in coffee blends. 
    • Despite its lower quality perception, it dominates global production, accounting for a significant 72% share.
• Geographical Spread: India produces coffee across 4.9 lakh hectares, mainly in the southern hill regions of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, accounting for about 90% of total output.
• • Emerging coffee belts are now being developed in Odisha, the North-East, and Andhra Pradesh’s Araku Valley.
  • State-wise Production: Karnataka – 70% of total production, Kerala – 23%, Tamil Nadu – 5%.
• Production and Exports: India produces 3.63 lakh metric tonnes of coffee annually.
  • Around 70% of production is exported to over 120 countries, generating $1.8 billion in export earnings (2024–25).
• Climatic and Soil Requirements for Coffee Production
  • Climate: Hot and humid, with temperatures between 15°C to 28°C.
  • Rainfall: 150 to 250 cm annually.
  • Soil: Well-drained loamy soil, rich in humus, with iron and calcium.
  • Altitude: Grown on hill slopes between 600 to 1,600 metres.
  • Shade and Dry Weather: Requires shady trees for growth and dry conditions during berry ripening.

Key Coffee-Producing Regions 

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Government Initiatives for Coffee Promotion

• Coffee Board of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry): Implements development programmes for quality improvement, post-harvest infrastructure, and market access.
  • Promotes geographical indication (GI) tagging and traceability for premium branding.
• Coffee Development Programme (CDP): Focuses on replanting, mechanisation, and water-efficient irrigation systems for small growers.
• Tribal and Women Empowerment Schemes: Encourages women-led cooperatives in tribal areas such as Koraput and Araku.
  • Integrates coffee cultivation with livelihood missions like NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission).
• Promotion of Specialty Coffees: Branding Indian coffees like Araku, Koraput, and Coorg as single-origin specialty products for global markets.
  • Collaborations with international buyers and e-commerce exports via ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce).

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