Chikkamagaluru: The Coffee Board of India and Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) are developing a package of practices for organic nutrition management to help tribal coffee growers across the country. The new technology, which will provide customised recommendations for blending and applying organic NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) based on soil test results and yield targets, is expected to be ready by Nov.
The region currently has 2.43 lakh tribal growers producing about 15,000 tonnes of coffee, though the quality is low. “Our aim is to take it to 50,000 tonnes of quality coffee by 2047. The package of practices will be released by Nov,” Coffee Board chairman MJ Dinesh observed. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mysuru | Silver Rate in Mysuru | Bank Holidays in Mysuru | Public Holidays in Mysuru Stay updated with the latest Mysuru news.
Kalasa grower Anil Kumar said the prescribed proportions could also reduce costs and make plantations more effective. The Andhra CM has assured full support for strengthening plantations,” Dinesh said. With this initiative, Coffee Board will move away from a generic formula and tailor nutrient ratios to Arabica or Robusta varieties based on plant age and the crop cycle. So far, coffee cultivation has had standard guidelines for chemical fertilisers, but no customised recommendations for organic manures. The initiative is significant as most tribal holdings, owing to traditional practices and low economic inputs, do not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides, making them suitable for organic certification. there were no clear guidelines on the quantity and blending of organic manures While the board has been releasing packages for organic coffee cultivation. “For chemical fertilisers, we had a standard blend, but for the first time we are customising organic manures. We have roped in several private players and a group of scientists to work on this. Meanwhile, Dinesh met Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss strengthening coffee plantations at RV Nagar in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Download the TOI App.