Coffee Cultivation in India

Coffee cultivation in India is concentrated in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. 
•  These three states together account for about 96% of production.
•  Karnataka is the largest producer, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
•  India is the 7th largest coffee producer globally, contributing around 3.5% to global output. 
•  The country produces approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes of coffee annually.
•  Nearly 70% of India’s coffee production is exported, reflecting strong global demand.
•  Smallholder farmers account for about 99% of holdings and around 70% of production.
India holds granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to five regional coffee varieties and two specialty coffees.
5 regional varieties with GI -  Coorg Arabica, Wayanad Robusta, Chikmagalur Arabica, Araku Valley Arabica, and Bababudangiris Arabica. Monsooned Malabar Robusta coffee, Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold and Robusta Kaapi Royale are the unique specialty coffee from India.
Unique Features
•  Indian coffee is predominantly shade-grown under a two-tier canopy system, supporting biodiversity.
•  Coffee plantations often function as multi-crop systems, with spices such as pepper, cardamom, and vanilla grown alongside.
•  Arabica is typically grown in cooler highlands, while Robusta is suited to warmer and more humid regions.

GST Reform
•  The GST on coffee extracts, essences, and instant coffee has been reduced from 18% to 5%.
•  This reduction is expected to lower retail prices, boost domestic consumption, and improve profitability for small processors.
India–UK CETA
•  The agreement provides duty-free access for value-added coffee products, including instant and roasted coffee.
•  It enhances India’s competitiveness in the UK market against European exporters.
India–EFTA TEPA
•  The agreement grants zero-duty access for Indian coffee exports to countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
•  It creates opportunities to expand into premium markets for high-quality Indian coffee.

Climate Change Challenges in Coffee Cultivation
•  Experts suggest that climate change is disrupting traditional coffee cultivation cycles in regions like Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan.
•  Increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, including delayed, excessive, or untimely rains, are affecting flowering and yield.
•  Extreme weather events such as hailstorms are damaging coffee flowers, leading to crop losses.
•  Unseasonal rainfall during harvesting leads to simultaneous flowering and fruiting, which disrupts harvesting operations.
•  Excess moisture during harvest can cause deterioration in bean quality and affect processing outcomes.
Climate-Resilient Coffee Varieties
Liberica Coffee
•  Liberica is considered a climate-resilient coffee species that can better withstand changing environmental conditions.
•  It can tolerate higher temperatures compared to Arabica and Robusta varieties.
•  The plant develops a deep and extensive root system, enabling it to survive drought conditions by accessing deeper soil moisture.
•  It shows greater resistance to coffee leaf rust disease, which has historically affected coffee plantations.
•  Liberica trees are structurally strong and can withstand heavy rainfall, storms, and variable weather patterns.
•  At present, it is largely cultivated as a boundary or tree crop rather than a main plantation crop, which limits its overall yield.
•  Despite its resilience, lower productivity remains a key challenge for large-scale adoption.
Excelsa Coffee
•  It is considered a climate-resilient coffee variety suitable for changing environmental conditions.
•  There is ongoing research to determine whether it is a distinct species or a variant of Liberica.
•  At present, it is cultivated only in small experimental quantities.
•  Being a deep-rooted tree, it can tolerate high temperatures, irregular rainfall, and humid tropical conditions better than Arabica coffee.
•  It is known for its distinctive flavour profile, often described as having a heavier body with cola-like notes.
Adaptation Strategies by Farmers
•  Experts emphasize that climate adaptation in coffee cultivation requires a holistic and integrated approach.
•  Farmers are adopting water conservation measures, including storage systems and controlled irrigation during flowering periods.
•  Shade management practices are being modified, with increased shade cover used to reduce temperature stress, even at the cost of some yield.
•  Soil health management through organic matter addition and composting is improving water retention capacity.
•  There is a shift toward data-driven farming, where farmers monitor rainfall patterns, temperature changes, and drying conditions.
•  Adaptation now includes canopy management, spacing, selective harvesting, and processing adjustments to manage inconsistent crop quality.