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Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam , April 27

THE Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC), which started export of coffee on a small scale from June 2004, plans to make its presence felt in the international market and export at least half of its production, said Mr B. Trinadha Rao, regional manager.

He said at a press meet here on Wednesday that the Araku valley in Visakhapatnam district was recognised as a non-conventional area for coffee cultivation in the country and that coffee had been introduced in the area to wean the Girijans away from shifting cultivation.

"Coffee cultivation has improved the living conditions of the tribals considerably and exports will help them get a better price," Mr Rao said.

Mr A.N. Gurumurthy, group manager, said 4,043 hectares in Visakhapatnam district was under coffee cultivation under APFDC and 17,000 hectares under private tribal holdings.

"Usually, about 2,500 tonnes of coffee is produced in the district, with APFDC's plantations yielding 1,500 tonnes. The tribal holdings account for the rest. During 2004-2005, however, our production has been a little higher at 1,800 tonnes. It is our aim to export at least half of it," he said.

Mr Gurumurthy said APFDC had an export commitment of 844 tonnes in future contracts to Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France.

"We have already shipped 268 tonnes, and by June the rest will be exported. We will earn Rs 6.5 crore through exports. Subsequently, the prices of coffee have risen, but it was a good deal at that time. This kind of price fluctuation is not unknown in the coffee market and, on the whole, we have gained from the deal," he said.

Mr Rao said Rs 84 lakh had been granted by the Government to upgrade the coffee processing facilities in the district as an incentive to boost exports.

"Coffee has come to stay in the region. The Coffee Board and other agencies are trying to increase the acreage. In future, hopefully, there will be private exports from the area. As a Government agency, we are trying to create an export market for coffee from the area," he said.

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