Coffee harvesting begins early in the Agency area of Alluri Sitharama Raju district this year

Coffee harvesting begins early in the Agency area of Alluri Sitharama Raju district this year. About 15,000 tonnes of produce is expected from the crop to be harvested from 2.05 lakh acres. Local farmers want the government to increase the minimum support price to meet the rising expenses.

The harvesting of coffee has started much early in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district due to favourable weather conditions, according to officials.

While the area under coffee cultivation in all the 11 Agency mandals is about 2.45 lakh acres, the total harvested area is 2.05 lakh acres. It takes at least five years for a coffee plant to bear fruit.

As per the 2022-23 report, a total of 93,521 tribal people are involved in coffee cultivation, of which 2,600 are cultivating the top-grade variety.

About 8,000 acres of coffee crop is owned by the A.P. Forest Department, while the remaining is owned by the local farmers (tribal people). Each farmer may have two to three acres of coffee crop, and takes care of the plants from the planting to harvesting stage.

Speaking to The Hindu, Coffee Board of India Deputy Director (A.P., Odisha) Samala Ramesh said the stakeholders were expecting at least 15,000 tonnes of produce this year.

The yield increases every year as new plants reach the harvest stage. For example, the saplings planted in 2018 will be harvested this year along with the existing plants, he added.

“This year, the harvesting started early. This is a good sign for coffee growers and stakeholders. Our board provides technical support for healthy coffee plantations in the Agency. We are working under the slogan, ‘Seed to Cup’. The harvesting will continue till January 2024,” Mr. Ramesh said.