The seventh edition of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) will be held in Bengaluru from January 16-19.

The four-day IICF 2018, being organised by the India Coffee Trust and State-run Coffee Board to promote the Indian coffees globally, is expected to attract over 100 companies, 600 delegates and some 10,000 visitors, organisers said.

Karnataka Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said IICF will help promote Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Sakleshpura not just as the coffee growing estates but also as tourist destinations in view of their great landscape, and unique culture and cuisines.

Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Coffee Board, said IICF 2018 would be a precursor to the International Coffee Organisation’s World Coffee Conference being hosted by India in Bengaluru in 2020.

The Board, Krishna said, was working towards enhancing the growers’ share in the consumer spend. Citing data from an UK daily, Krishna said big brands globally sell a cup of coffee at an average of $4, whereas the growers’ share in that is only five cents. “All the efforts of the Coffee Board is to see how we can help the growers move from five cents upwards. Even if we increase by two or three times, it will be a significant achievement. Most of our endeavours are in that direction,” Krishna said.

Further, the Board is expected to finalise a branding campaign for the promotion of Indian coffees. Referring to the problems posed by the white stem borer to the arabica variety, Krishna said the Board was working with artificial intelligence and biotech firms to find a solution to the pest menace.

Anil Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust, said IICF 2018 will continue to be the premier platform for the coffee and allied industries to express and explore new and game changing ideas and solutions.

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