The Hindu Business Line : Coffee Board on verge of starting quality certificate rating system

THE Coffee Board is on the threshold of instituting a quality certificate rating system for roasted and ground brands in the market, said Chairperson, Ms Lakshmi Venkatachalam, on Friday.

The rating system, for which details are being worked out in consultation with the domestic roasters, is expected to boost consumer interest and demand, Ms Venkatachalam said, addressing members of the Karnataka Planters Association.

"The Coffee Board has prepared the ground work for creating an environment where potential to increase consumption can be fully exploited by the stakeholders in the private sector by launching new and innovative products and spreading points of consumption, so that overall supply is more widespread and augmented," she said.

Meanwhile, the board is also launching the third survey soon to track and estimate coffee consumption trends, Ms Venkatachalam said. Two surveys have already been carried out in 2001 and 2003.

Commenting on trends in global output, Ms Venkatachalam said the decline in the production of other mild varieties might open up a window of opportunity for the Indian milds not only in the speciality market but also in the mainstream market, provided growers are able to offer consistent quality and lot sizes.

Assuring the growers that the Government was with them in the time of crisis, Mr Abhijit Sengupta, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, said the comprehensive rehabilitation package would be announced soon. Mr Sengupta said growers should look at other ways of increasing their output and income and suggested that they go for multi-cropping.

Mr Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, United Planters Association of South India, said recovery in the sector despite an uptrend in prices was impossible without meaningful assistance from the Government.

Mr Bhandari called for a complete review of the Plantation Labour Act as planters were finding it difficult to meet rising wage levels and social costs. He suggested that the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee on sharing of the social costs should be implemented at the earliest.

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Coffee Board on verge of starting quality certificate rating system