Araku Valley Coffee

GS III-Agriculture

About Araku Valley Coffee

• Cultivated in the hilly regions of Visakhapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh) and parts of Odisha.
• Grown at an altitude of 900m–1100m above mean sea level.
• Produced by tribal farmers practicing organic farming, which includes the use of organic manure, green manuring, and eco-friendly pest management techniques.
• Received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019.

Coffee Production in India

• Major coffee-producing states include Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
• Karnataka dominates production, contributing over 70% of India’s total output.
• The two primary coffee species cultivated are:
  • Coffea Arabica (Arabica) – More sensitive to climate variations.
  • Coffea Canephora (Robusta) – More resilient to environmental stress.

Ideal Conditions for Coffee Cultivation

• Climate: Hot and humid conditions; dry weather is essential during berry ripening.
• Temperature Range: 15°C to 28°C.
• Annual Rainfall: 150 to 250 cm.
• Altitude: 600m–1600m above sea level, typically grown under shade trees.
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, loamy soil rich in humus, iron, and calcium.