Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Coffee Board’s Regional Office in Koraput on Sunday to review the expanding industry of Koraput Coffee in the region. He took a tour of the flourishing coffee plantations and interacted with officials and tribals of the women farmers from local self-help groups (SHGs). Dharmendra Pradhan stressed on the importance of coordinated efforts to increase the production of coffee, improve the processing method post-harvest, and build a strong brand.
Plans to Expand Coffee Cultivation
During his tour to the Coffee Board’s Regional Office minister stressed on the proper branding and quality enhancement to help the tribal farmers of Koraput. Koraput Coffee currently covers nearly 7,000 hectares. Approx 600 tonnes of coffee is produced annually, which is expected to have the market value of Rs 30 crore at current prices.
Plans are underway to expand coffee cultivation by an additional 800 hectares and to implement shade plantations over 4,000 hectares in the 2025-26 period.