Patchy rain brews trouble for coffee production

Patchy rain in growing areas in Karnataka and Kerala is likely to affect coffee production next season, starting November.

Industry players believe that coffee production will definitely take a hit, but are not sure of the extent of damage.

“Rain has been patchy in areas where arabica coffee is grown. We have not had enough rain,” said Mr Nishant R. Gurjer, Managing Partner of Sethuram Estates in Chickamagalur.

“The issue of insufficient rain is turning out to be pretty serious. We have not got proper blossom and backing showers,” said Mr Ramesh Rajah, President, Coffee Exporters Association of India.

“The delay in rain this year could delay flowering in arabica. Robusta areas seem to have got some rain. I don't think all is lost,” said Mr Anil K. Bhandari, former United Planters Association of Southern India President, said.

Coffee areas usually get rains in February-March when the buds in the plants emerge. Rain, called blossom showers, is necessary to open the buds. Eight days after the rain, the buds open up, helping pollination in the plant.

In arabica self-pollination takes place while in robusta cross-pollination occurs. Pollination occurs within hours of the opening of the bud.

If there is undue delay in blossom showers, the buds can not open. This then leads to ‘paddying' or withering before pollination, leading to crop loss.

However, the buds are hardy and it takes time to wither.

“We need rain within 10 days. Arabica requires rain immediately. Crop in my own estate could be damaged in case of delay,” said Mr Bhandari.

irrigation

“Though we had rain in February, it was not of much help. It rained only in some parts,” said Mr Gurjer.

“We are not going to get a crop better than last year. How much lower is difficult to estimate now,” said Mr Rajah.

Mr Gurjer said patchy rain would definitely affect the crop, though it would be difficult to quantify the loss.

This is a phenomenon that occurs once in ten years.

According to Mr Rajah, the robusta crop in Karnataka could be saved by irrigation in some of the estates.

“In Karnataka, the problem could be mitigated to some extent but there are no such facilities in Kerala estates,” said Mr Rajah.

This means robusta production in Kerala could be hit. Kerala accounts for over 30 per cent of robusta production in the country.

Output

This year, the output has been estimated at 63,000 tonnes in the State. The country's robusta production has been pegged at 2.04 lakh tonnes.

“We have had rain in November and again in February. Plants may be able to withstand this dry period. We have to wait and see,” said Mr Bhandari.

Last week, Chickmagalur received good rains but Kodagu went without rains. This season, robusta output in Chickmagalur is seen at 36,000 tonnes and in Kodagu 88,600 tonnes.

“Even now, there is rain in certain parts,” said Mr Gurjer.

The fear is arabica could be affected next season. This season itself, arabica output was trimmed from 99,500 tonnes to 95,000 tonnes as unseasonal rain affected the crop.

“The problem is lack of backing showers. That's why we feel the damage has been done,” said Mr Rajah.

Coffee production this year has been estimated at 2.99 lakh tonnes against 2.89 lakh tonnes the previous year. Karnataka's contribution of this is 2.11 lakh tonnes with Chickmagalur making up 73,500 tonnes and Kodagu 1.09 lakh tonnes. Output in Kerala this year has been estimated at 64,700 tonnes.

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