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Coffee growers are likely to miss the production target fixed by the Coffee Board for a second year in a row, as a heavy monsoon has taken a heavy toll on the crop in many growing regions of Karnataka during July and August.
As against the target of 344,750 tonnes, the actual production could be around 300,000 tonnes, thanks to stalk and bean rot in Arabica and Robusta plantations due to heavy rain.
Already, the white stem borer (WSB) pest has significantly damaged Arabica plantations. Incessant rain has led to bean dropping and leaf dropping at several places, planters said.
“Arabica plantations have seen severe damage due to WSB in May and June this year. Now, the rain has added to our miseries. Continuous rain and absence of sunshine has resulted in lack of photosynthesis in plants. The plants have developed wet foot disease due to heavy waterlogging in most of the growing regions in Kodagu and Chikmagalur,” said D Govindappa Jayaram, chairman, Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA).
The situation is more or less similar to that of last year. The growing places received about 10-15 per cent more rain than normal till the first week of August since the beginning of the monsoon in June, he said. “Also, it is not conducive for the plantations to receive such a heavy amount of rain in July after seeing scanty rains in June,” he said.
In July, Chikmagalur and Hassan districts received 21 per cent and 28 per cent more rain, while Kodagu witnessed only nine per cent lesser rain than the normal average.
According to KPA, the production could be around 3000,000 tonnes and the only saving grace for the planters this year is Robusta crop, which is very good. This year is an “On-Year” for Robusta. The Robusta output is projected at 239,250 tonnes for 2014-15 by the Coffee Board and the KPA almost agrees with the Board. However, the KPA does not agree with the Board estimates on Arabica crop.
The Board has projected Arabica output at 105,500 tonnes, while the KPA feels it could be only 60,000-70,000 tonnes due to widespread damage caused by WSB pest.
For the current year, the pest has already affected 50 per cent of the Arabica plantations and the production loss could be the worst ever, Jayaram said.
Although the Board projected an all-time high output of 347,000 tonnes for 2013-14, the final production came down to 304,500 tonnes, with 102,200 tonnes of Arabica and 202,300 tonnes of Robusta beans. Compared to 315,500 tonnes in 2012-13, the production was down by 3.5 per cent.
