Heavy rains damage coffee crops, plantation infrastructure in Karnataka, growers incur 35% yield losses

Battered by relentless monsoon rains since July 1, plantation districts of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan and Chamarajanagar have suffered huge damage to coffee crops and estate infrastructure

Coffee growers in Karnataka have incurred 35% yield losses after heavy rains lashed and damaged plantations in the coffee heartlands of the state, said Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA) on Friday.

Heavy rains have been battering plantation districts of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan and Chamarajanagar since July 1, causing huge damage to the coffee crop, coffee plants and estate infrastructure, as per KPA.

“The coffee plants are affected by both stalk rot and root rot diseases. Growers assess the damage to the coffee crop, coffee plants and estate infrastructure in general. The yield loss itself is estimated at more than 35%,’‘  N. Ramanathan, Chairman, KPA told The Hindu.

Heavy rains have adversely affected normal life in these plantation districts. Streams are overflowing, water has stagnated in the low-lying areas and coffee plants are marooned. Several trees in the plantations have also fallen due to rains with strong winds further damaging the coffee plants, he said.

A large number of coffee plants have been standing in water for weeks now. “Plants start shedding leaves and berries after standing in water for a week, causing huge damage to planters,’‘ Ramanathan added.

Steady and slow rain for a long time is a good thing for plantations. But this time, in a short span of a few days, the region has received an overdose of rains. “The rains in July and August were 26% above average normal rainfall. Consequently, the coffee berries have turned black and have dropped off due to which the crop is lost and the quality of remaining coffee crop on the plants has also deteriorated,’‘ he stated.