In contrast to the Western Ghats, which are home to systematically, developed and well organised coffee plantations for over a century, the picturesque eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh and Southern Orissa are emerging as a newly developing coffee region in the coffee map of the country. Popularly known as non-traditional areas in the coffee circles, this region includes the states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and to small extent Madhya Pradesh. The region is predominantly, inhabited by a wide variety of tribal groups who are known for their primitive agriculture practices and 'Podu' (Shifting cultivation) over centuries.
Geographical Location and Features
The Coffee tracts in Non-traditional areas are the part of once famous 'Dandakaranya' and are located in the Easter Ghats range of hills spreading mainly in Vishakapatnam and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh and Koraput and Rayagada Districts of Orissa. Extensive plateau land intermixed with moderately elevated barren hillocks is the characteristic feature of these areas. Even the hillocks covered with vegetation are mainly dry deciduous forests.
Andhra Pradesh is the principle coffee growing state of NTA's and the coffee tracts of this state can be divided into four main agencies namely Araku agency with an elevation of 3200 above MSL, Paderu agency with an elevation of 3200 above MSL, Chinatapalli agency with an elevation of 2500 above MSL and Maredumalli agency with an elevation of 1500 above MSL.
The agency localities are inhabited by tribals who mainly belong to backward tribes and primitive tribal groups. A small number around 50 to 100 of these tribals live in small tribal hamlets andmost of them are illiterate, socially backward and economically poor. The main avocation of these tribals is agriculture practised in a very traditional and primitive way. They also depend on collection and sale of forest produce for their lively hood. The tribal villagers adopt a system of shifting cultivation locally called as 'Podu Cultivation'.
This cultivation consists of clearing the forest cover and after destroying it by setting fire, the land is used for cultivation of annual crops like millets, maize or minor crops like Niger, field beans etc. In earlier days it was common practice that once the land looses its fertility after extracting crops for few years, they move to another area and start clearing new forest areas. Because of this phenomenon, this practice is also known as shift cultivation. Under the above pattern of agriculture, the forest vegetation which were once the pride of Dandakaranya have been completely destroyed and denuded. The soils got impoverished mainly due to soil erosion.
Climatic Conditions
These areas are known for high extremities in temperatures, which touch as high as 420C during summer months and as low as 30C during winter months. The average rainfall in different agency areas usually ranges from 1000 mm to 1200 mm and major quantity of the precipitation is received under North East monsoon while South West also contributes to some extent. The months from Decemeber to March are mostly dry. The blossom and backing showers are bit irregular and are normally received any time after March.
History
Coffee was reported to have been introduced in Andhra Pradesh by Mr. Brodie, a Britisher during 1898 in the Rampa Agency of East Godavari District. However, Coffee cultivation was not successful and in the 2nd phase of introduction, Maharajas and British Revenue Officers played a pivotal role. Few Arabica coffee plantations were raised in Araku and Ananthagiri Agencies of Visakhapatnam district around 1920, with the seed brought from Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu.
During the course of time, tribals have taken up coffee cultivation on a small scale in the villages of Chintapalli Taluk. However, the major efforts towards organised coffee production were made initially by the Forest Department in 1960s followed by Forest Development Corporation. In Orissa, coffee was introduced during 1930 by the Maharaja of Jeypore at Bichalkota.
The impetus towards organized coffee production was provided by the Soil conservation Department from 1958 onwards. In Madhya Pradesh, an extent of 40 Ha, was also planted by a British planter in Kukru village of Betul District during 1940. The Agricultural Department, Government of M.P. had also taken up coffee planting during the same period (1960) and stopped further expansion after planting an extent of 56 Ha, in the District of Bastar.
Feasibility Survey
The basis for large scale cultivation of coffee in Andhra Prades was the Techno-feasibility conducted by Sri W. Raghavendra Rao of the Coffee Board during 1950s. As per this survey report, the Government of Andhra Pradesh approved a Scheme of Coffee cultivation in Vishakhapatnam and East Godavari districts. The scheme was implemented in the year 1960-61.
The results of this scheme were later consolidated leading to the creation of a comprehensive scheme for coffee development. The scheme is prepared by the Coffee Board and State Government to undertake commercial cultivation in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, the National Commission on Agriculture in the perspective plan suggested for expansion of coffee in suitable areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and North-Eastern states for increasing the production to meet both export and internal consumption requirements.
The planning Commission suggested that the concerned State Governments to take up coffee expansion programmes with the technical support of the Coffee Board. In the agency areas due to the existing special land tenancy act, only tribals can own the lands for cultivation. Hence, there exists only two alternatives to develop coffee plantations either in tribal sector or in the Govt. owned lands i.e. Forest Department.
In view of the above, commercial cultivation of coffee in Andhra Pradesh is aimed at the following objectives:
- Protecting forest cover and to develop forest cover in podu lands.
- Wean tribals away fro Podu cultivation to stationary farming through coffee.
- Engage the tribal growers by providing gainful employment.
- Over all uplifment of socio-economic status of tribals.
- Diversify sources of income through cultivation of coffee based inter crops like pepper.
Constructive Role by the State Govt. Agencies
The Govt. agencies like Andhra Pradesh Forest Development followed by Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) and Girijan Coffee Plantation Development Corporation (GCPDC) followed by ITDA have been significant in laying a strong foundation for development in Andhra Pradesh. The Coffee expansion in A.P., continued up to 1985 by the forest department initially and later by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Limited. A total extent of 4,100 ha was developed to coffee in the forest lands so far.
The coffee plantations of Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) have stood as model for the tribal people who began to appreciate the benefits from coffee crop. The tribals who worked on daily wages as plantation labour received a regular income and also gained knowledge in coffee cultivation. The technical support extended by the Coffee Board through Coffee Demonstration Farm, Minumuluru; Regional Coffee Research Station, R.V. Nagar and other field units have been instrumental for coffee development.
In tribal sector, the extension wing initiated a pilot Project, with the financial assistance of State Government (ITDA) and developed coffee among the tribal sector. The progress of coffee expansion was at slower pace up to 1974. Subsequently, M/s. A.P. Girijan Co-operative Corporation Ltd., had entered into the field of coffee development. 700 HA, were brought under coffee between 1975 to 1987 by the above agency.
The Coffee Board expansion subsidy scheme implemented between 1978 and 1989 had given fillip to the coffee expansion among the tribal growers. The interest shown by the tribal farmers had forced Government to create an independent agency for coffee development. Accordingly, M/s. Girijan Coffee Plantation Development Corporation Limited, has been formed to develop coffee in tribal sector. This agency developed coffee in an extent of another 1000 Ha, in the tribal holdings. The ITDA, Paderu, has taken over the development of coffee in the State of Andhra Pradesh, among the tribal sector from the year 1995 and is the only agency, currently involved in coffee development.
In Orissa, the Soil Conservation Department, with the assistance of Sri W. Raghavendra Rao, the then Senior Liaison Officer, Coffee Board, surveyed suitable areas and commenced coffee planting from the year 1958 onwards. The Soil Conservation Department in Orissa had stoped expansion from the year 1980 due to financial constraints, after raising coffee in a total extent of 1321 Ha, Coffee expansion was taken up by the private enterprise from 1982 onwards, and a total extent of 450 Ha, is planted to coffee. The coffee plantations were introduced in tribal sector from the year 1996 in Koraput and in 1999 in Phulbani districts. An extent of 49 Ha. Was developed to coffee so far. Coffee Board had opened the office of the Senior Liaison Officer, at Koraput (1977) to meet the technical needs of the coffee growing industry.
Main varieties under Cultivation
Arabica coffee is the main variety and the arabica station breed selections like S.795, S.934, Sln.4 (Agaro) and Sln.5 occupy major area in Andhra Pradesh. Cauvery is the main variety under cultivation in Orissa. Pepper is the main inter crop adding substantially to the net returns of the coffee farms.
The coffees of this region are classified as medium body, medium to sharp acidity and intense aroma with a spicy tinge.
The coffee produced at Pedabyalu estate of APFDC of this region has been rated as very good and bagged award as the best Regional coffee for Araku valley region in the Flavour of India - Fine Cup Award 2003 the finals of which were held at Boston.
Fulfilling the Objectives
Thus, because of coffee development schemes launched by the Coffee Board in association with the State Govt. Agencies, Coffee cultivation has taken deep root in tribal culture. There is an increasing interest in tribals towards coffee cultivation as the returns from coffee and pepper grown as inter-crop are attractive and sustainable compared to other annual crops.
With the area expanding fast and with vast potential for expansion of Arabica coffee and for improving productivity levels, coffee industry in NTAs is ideally poised for a take off stage. The coffee cultivation activity fulfils the twin objectives of socio-economic uplifement of tribals and conservation of the environment by providing sustainable alternative to the practice of Podu cultivation.
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