The Hindu Business Line : Coffee productivity down 15% in last 5 years

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Chennai March 6 Coffee productivity in the country has declined by over 15 per cent since 2000-01 season (November-October) and it is down to a level not seen since 1997-98. However, the Coffee Board and planters are hopeful of a recovery in the next few years in view of re-plantation being carried out in some of the estates.

"You have to look at the area that has come under coffee in the last couple of years. Most of the addition has come in non-traditional and low yielding areas in Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh," said Mr G.V. Krishna Rau, Chairman of the Coffee Board, when contacted.

Low Productivity

In fact, area under coffee cultivation has witnessed nearly a 10 per cent increase during the same period. From 3.13 lakh hectares (lh) during 2000-01, the area has increased to 3.41 lh during 2005-06. Production during the period has declined from a record 3.01 lakh tonnes (lt) to 2.74 lt. In between, during 2003-04, it had slid to 2.70 lt. (See table)

"In Araku, the production is around 150 kg a hectare. When we take that into consideration, productivity looks low. But there is scope for improvement in the area," Mr Rau said. Coffee cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and the North-East is carried out in over 42,000 hectares.

Borer Menace

"We also have to concede that arabica crop yield has also declined due to white stem borer menace in the last couple of years," he said.

According to planters in Karnataka, the menace of white stem borer has taken a heavy toll of arabica plants.

"Production in existing areas has dropped mainly because of the pest menace," they said, adding: "People cultivating arabica have been rather helpless." Many of the growers affected by the borer menace have gone in for re-plantation but they have shifted to robusta from arabica.

"This has happened even in areas where arabica cultivation is dominant," they said. "Things will improve in another 5-6 years when economic yield of the replanted plants begins," said Mr Bose Mandanna, a grower and former vice-chairman of the Coffee Board.

Empty Spaces

It nearly takes 7-8 years for a coffee plant to yield fully. On the other hand, empty spaces within coffee estates are adding to the fall in production and productivity. Most of the spaces have been created by the white stem borer menace within arabica plantations, according to the planters.

An interesting aspect of the fall in yield is that the decline has been continuous since 2000-01. Data available from the Coffee Board site shows that yield has alternated between high and low from 1980 onwards till 1999-2000 before the current trend set in.