GS 3 – AGRICULTURE
Context
- Continuous incessant rains, extreme cold, and lack of sunlight for over three months have severely impacted coffee plantations in Karnataka’s major coffee-growing districts: Chikmagaluru, Coorg, and Hassan.
- Reports indicate up to 30% production loss, according to the Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA).
Key Impacts
- Crop Damage & Diseases
- Excessive rainfall has caused:
- Coffee berry droppings.
- Spread of fungal diseases such as black rot, fruit rot, berry drop, and stalk rot.
- Farmers unable to apply fungicides due to nonstop rains.
- Crop loss estimated at 20–30%.
- Weather Extremes & Blossom Setting
- Prolonged summer showers during April–May weakened blossom fruit setting.
- Excess rainfall (+20% above annual average) worsened conditions.
- Both Arabica and Robusta varieties affected.
- Production Forecast
- Coffee Board’s post-blossom estimate (2025–26):
- Likely production: 4.03 lakh metric tonnes (MT).
- Arabica: 1.18 lakh MT.
- Robusta: 2.85 lakh MT.
- However, continuous rains may further lower this estimate.
Expert Opinions
- Arvind Rao (KPA Chairman): Heavy rains have wreaked havoc, causing uncontrollable fungal spread.
- Sahadev Balakrishna (UPASI): Continuous rainfall for three months has drastically affected plantations.
- B. Shivakumaraswamy (Coffee Board): Premature berry drop unusually high this year.
- Bose Mandanna (Coffee Board): Region has already received 20% excess rainfall, with more forecast.
Significance
- Economic Impact: Coffee is a major export crop; losses may affect farmers’ incomes and India’s agricultural exports.
- Social Impact: Small growers and plantation workers in Karnataka depend heavily on coffee cultivation.
- Environmental Angle: Highlights vulnerability of commercial crops to climate variability and extreme weather events.