Constraints and Future Strategies for Coffee Production in Nagaland
Dr. Ajay Kumar Makar, Sri K. Annapurnaiah, Sri V.R. Gudde Gowda
The North-East region comprises of seven states; they are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, & Tripura. These states are called seven sisters. Coffee has been introduced in these seven states to provide alternate employment to the tribal families and to wean away from Jhum cultivation practiced by them. The tribals in the North-east were resorting to slashing of Jungle, burning the trunk, cultivating the land. To overcome this practice coffee has been introduced since 1980 systematically. Since coffee is a shade loving plant, it encourages growth of forests in the long run. The Coffee Board of India helped the seven state governments to identify suitable areas in the beginning and now it provides technological inputs for coffee cultivation besides providing financial support through Special Area Programme and Market support scheme to market the produce. Coffee Board is also promoting coffee as a beverage in the North-Eastern region to absorb the coffee produced in North Eastern region in North East itself.
In the surveys undertaken during 1970s it was revealed that 44,000 ha. area was suitable for coffee cultivation in these seven states. The North Eastern Council helped the Board with financial assistance in the early period; later the state Governments of these seven states took up the initiative through their state soil conservation departments/ forest departments/ or through forming plantation crop corporations. As already indicated the Objectives of coffee introduction are:
- To improve Socio-economic condition of tribal families.
- To prevent Soil erosion.
- To maintain ecological balance.
Coffee in Nagaland
Nagaland is one amongst seven sisters states, which vigorously pursued coffee cultivation during 1980s. The survey conducted by the Board has estimated that an area of 4000 ha is suitable for coffee cultivation. More than 75% of the surveyed area has been brought under coffee cultivation. The remaining area is available for planting during X Plan period. The coffee areas are situated mainly in Mokokchung, Wokha and Zunhebuto districts and to some extent Mon and Kohima districts. Coffee can also be successfully expanded in Phek, and Tuensang Districts. As in other states the idea behind coffee introduction is to overcome Jhum cultivation, provide employment to people and generate additional income to uplift the socio-economic condition of the people.
In this connection it would be useful for our study to highlight on the general information and on current status of Coffee production in Nagaland.
Present position
Presently the tribal farmers are taking up coffee cultivation, with the Board supporting them through technical advisory and financial assistance under Special Area Programme (SAP) at the rate of Rs.9,000/ha during 1" year and Rs.6,000/ha during 3rd year to expand and rejuvenate the coffee holdings. Need based assistance for the production of quality coffee, develop infrastructure facilities like huller, pulpers, drying yard etc would also be provided on a community basis. To promote the domestic consumption of coffee roaster and grinder too would be provided.
The area and production of coffee in Nagaland has shown an increase since 1995-96.
Scope and Definition of the problem
The production and productivity of any agricultural commodity will have a bearing on the total economy of the farmer. Coffee is no exception. The high productivity will bring surplus funds if prices are remunerative, certain amount of this funds will be ploughed back to improve or maintain the productivity level. In other words, if the productivity is low investment will come down and the vicious cycle of low production and low productivity will continue.
In the case of coffee the average productivity is 1000 kgs per Ha in traditional areas. In the North-eastern region also the CDF, Kolasib, Mizoram has achieved the same productivity level. But it is not reflected in the farmer's field. In order to know the reason for low productivity a study has been initiated in the state of Nagaland. The results of the study will help the farmers, Researchers/ Extensionists, Corporates and Governments to understand the reason for low productivity and design suitable strategy to overcome this situation.
The special features of coffee are:
- It is a plantation crop with rich potential and export orientation.
- It provides gainful employment to people both directly and indirectly.
- It conserves soil and protects nature.
- Achieves rapid economic growth. v. It will pave way for infrastructure development.
Methiodology
The study was conducted in the state of Nagaland. The state of Nagaland is has eight districts, out of which at present coffee is cultivated in five
districts. The majority holdings are in Mokokchung, Wokha and Zunebuto districts. Hence study was confined to these districts. A separate questionnaire was designed for farmers, Extensionists, Researchers and Corporate bodies. It was circulated amongst 150 farmers and others to know the reasons for low productivity and the suggestions to improve the production and productivity of coffee was solicited. The Questionnaire covered four parts viz. Basic information, Package of practices adopted, core information to know the availability of infrastructure and other Miscellaneous information.
Results and Discussion
A. Basic information
The basic information includes age, education qualification, Number of dependents, total land in possession, cultivated area of coffee, crops grown, the climatic factors including Altitude, Rainfall, Temperature and Soil type.
The data indicates that the age of the coffee grower ranges from 20 to 74 years. The average being 44 years. About 55% of the growers had educational qualification less than matriculate and 45% above matriculation. One of the respondents was a postgraduate in Agriculture. The average Number of dependents per family was 6. The area of holding ranged from 2 Ha to 5000 Ha. The land tenure system is unique in Nagaland since the whole land belongs to village community and only the village Headman Gao Burha (GB) has the power to allot lands for cultivation. If the Gao Burha belongs to Konyak or Sema tribe he can inherit the Gao Burhaship as well as land to any extent. With mere oral permission the farmer can cultivate the land.
The major crop grown is upland rice or Jhum cultivated Rice. Now they are growing Coffee, Orange and Arecanut. The farmers who are nearer to the plains are growing Mustard, Arhar and other pulses and also vegetables.
| Area |
Number (%) |
| Upto 2 Ha. |
32 (58) |
| 2 to 5 Ha. |
12 (22) |
| Above 5 Ha. |
11 (20) |
| Total |
55 |
About 58% of the holdings had an extent of 2 Ha. And below, 22% of the holdings had extent of 2 to 5 Ha. And the balance 20% had above 5 Ha. The planting of coffee started from 1981 to 2002. The details of number of growers who have taken up coffee cultivation during different years is shown below:
| Year |
Number of growers |
| 1980-1985 |
6 |
| 1985-1990 |
20 |
| 1990-1995 |
2 |
| 1995-2002 |
27 |
From the above table it can be said that 47% of the growers had coffee planted area with productive age 12-22 years. Out of the 55 estates selected 75% were arabica planted, 20% planted to robusta variety and 5% had both arabica and robusta variety. Majority of the growers were unable to answer the questions pertaining to the geographical locations like Altitude, and climatic factors. However, in general the areas are suited to coffee as indicated in the survey report of Coffee Board.
Details are furnished below: The Coffee productivity details:
| Productivityrange (per ha.) |
Number growers of |
| Less than 50kgs |
23 |
| 50-100 kgs. |
28 |
| More than 100 kgs |
4 |
The productivity of the holdings was on par with pattern exhibited for the entire region.
B. Package of Practices
Package of Practices play an important role in the production of any crop and coffee is not an exception. The production and productivity of coffee have a direct bearing on the adoption of package of practices such as the source of seed coffee, variety grown, planting distance followed, application of chemical fertilizers, farm yard manure, topping, centering, handling, pruning, shade regulation were included. The questionnaire also included soil testing, liming, soil cultivation practices like cover digging, trenching etc. and the incidence of pest and diseases and their control measures. Harvesting particulars including No. of rounds were also included.
The study indicates that 85% of the growers had obtained seeds from Coffee Board, which is the certified supplier of quality seeds. And the remaining 15% of the growers procured the seedlings from the State Government. The spacing followed was irregular and it ranges from 4'x4' to 10'x10'. The majority of the growers have not adopted the recommended spacing. With regard to topping 69% had adopted the recommended topping height of 2.5 feet and 4 feet Arabica and Robusta respectively. About 56% have done centering to allow the air and light to the main stem. Handling and pruning is done by 49% of the growers. Shade regulation has been followed by 45% of the growers. With regard to soil management practices the results indicate that neither the soil has been tested for pH or for the nutrient status. Also neither the Lime nor the chemical fertilizers have been applied to correct the same and to get economic yield. Hardly 9% of the growers have applied Farm Yard Manure. Conservation of the soil is one of the objectives of coffee planting programme in North-Eastern Region. The study indicated that 96% of the growers have not, opened the trenches, 92% of growers have not adopted terracing, and 83% of the growers have not even done scuffling to stir the soil to suppress weeds. Regarding pest and disease 58% of the growers do not know how to identify a pest/disease, only 9% know about White stem borer.
The study indicates that only with two rounds of weeding is being practiced which is inadequate to control the weeds. Timely harvesting is being carried out by 56% of the growers with 2 to 3 rounds. A few growers have not even bothered to harvest since the quantity was very low.
C. Core information
The core information includes infrastructure facilities available with the growers for successful cultivation of coffee. It includes information on availability of labour, their proficiency in coffee cultivation, wage rate, also information on availability of irrigation facility, pucca drying yard, pulper machineries, hulling machineries, storage facilities and transport facilities. The mixed cropping particulars were also sought. 81% of the growers confirmed that there is no dearth of labourers. The wage rate for men range from Rs.50 to 100 and for women 30 to 50. With respect to labour proficiency 72% of them do not know or not that proficient in coffee cultivation practices. With regard to other aspects like irrigation 100% growers have no facility, 94% no pucca drying yard, 100% growers have no pulper machineries, 89% of the growers have no hulling facilities, 83% of the growers indicated that there is no transport facilities. About 65% of the coffee growers are cultivating coffee as a mono crop without diversification.
D. Marketing of Coffee
Marketing of any product is an important motivating factor to take up new enterprise. A question was included to know whether marketing of coffee was easy or difficult. About 96% of the growers indicated that it is difficult to market coffee in North-Eastern region. When it was asked to specify the type of difficulty, 76% indicated that the quantity at present being produced by them individually is low, 43% indicated that there is no transport facility, and 65% indicated that it is costly to transport. About 36% of the growers don't know where and how to sell coffee. With regard to price, 61% opined -that it is not remunerative.
E. Other information
Under other information respondents were asked to indicate three steps to improve the production and productivity of coffee. The results indicated that the growers are sure that strict adoption of package of practices will enhance production and productivity of coffee. But to adopt the package of practices finance is a limiting factor. As the land tenure system does not confer individual ownership/right on property, banks are not in a position to create equitable mortgage and sanction loan. The matter was confirmed with the Deputy General Manager of State bank of India, which is the Lead Bank for the state of Nagaland. Authorities of the bank informed that no loan had been sanctioned to coffee growers so far.
As the knowledge on coffee cultivation is insufficient they expect Coffee Board to conduct series of seminars/ Training programmes to impart knowledge on coffee cultivation with low cost technology.
The other step indicated was to develop market infrastructure to get remunerative prices. It is by providing infrastructure to improve quality, transport, and storage facility. Also suggestions were made to make immediate payment for the coffee pooled with Coffee Board to motivate them to take up systematic coffee cultivation.
Major Findings of the study
The study indicated that the major problem for low productivity is lack of capital to invest in coffee which is a perennial crop and which requires intensive care and husbandry to get economic yield. Lack of Pucca Land documents inhibits them to avail financial help from Commercial Banks/Financial constraints.
Coffee is an alien crop to these tribal growers. They don't know much about Coffee Husbandry, many terminologies that we use in traditional coffee growing areas is unknown to them.
Lack of communications, long distance of transport, coffee harvesting coinciding with winter season during which days are very short, intensity of sunlight is very low, weather is cloudy and sometimes it rains also, even a little rain can spoil the crop and encourage mould growth, lack of skilled labourers, difficult terrain, very difficult to carry inputs, most of the time input has to be carried by head loads to reach the estate. The fruits also have to be carried manually up to the road. These add to the problems of coffee cultivation.
Lack of remunerative prices is also discouraging them to do systematic cultivation with vigour and enthusiasm.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE
- Manpower development to enhance the knowledge, skill and attitude of growers as well as government agencies that are connected with coffee cultivation.
- Adoption of multiple cropping system with compatible associated crops like orange, black pepper, cardamom, arecanut and other annual/biennial horticultural crops to get assured and high returns per unit area.
- Provision of financial support from nationalized banks/gramin banks.
- Improvement of market infrastructure to make marketing easy and profitable.
- Introduction/adoption of cooperative concept/SHG concept for arranging inputs and to take up collective marketing of coffee.
- Develop separate package of practices with special reference to low cost technology for this region.
- Promotion of coffee drinking habit in the region to consume the entire coffee produced in North-Eastern region.
- Promotion and development of organic coffee, which may fetch better returns.
Bibliography
- `Perspective Plan for Coffee Development' National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), December 1976.
- 62"d Annual Report 2001-02, Coffee Board, Bangalore.
- Coffee in the North Eastern Region - A Report by Deputy Director of Extension, Coffee Board, Regional Office, Guwahati (1996).
- Indian Coffee - VOL.LXVI. NO. 11
November 2002.
