The Coffee Board of India is an organisation managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to promote coffee production in India. The Coffee Board of India was established by an act of Parliament in 1942. Until 1995 the Coffee Board marketed the coffee of a pooled supply. Later, coffee marketing became a private-sector activity due to the economic liberalisation in India.
The head office of the Coffee Board is situated in Bangalore.
The saga of Indian coffee began on a humble note, with planting of ‘Seven seeds’ of ‘Mocha’ during 1600 AD by the legendary holy saint Baba Budan, in the courtyard of his hermitage on ‘Baba Budan Giris’ in Karnataka. For quite a considerable period, the plants remained as a garden curiosity and spread slowly as back yard plantings.
Coffee Board of India
The Coffee Board of India (CBI) is a statutory body established under the Coffee Act, 1942 by the Government of India. It is responsible for the development and promotion of coffee cultivation, processing, domestic trade, and export from India.
The CBI (Coffee Board of India) has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and zonal offices in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, and Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It also has overseas offices in London and New York.
Coffee research and development efforts are well organised in India through its Coffee Research Institute, which is considered the premier research station in South East Asia. It is under the control of the Coffee Board of India, an autonomous body, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, which was set up under an Act of the Parliament with the objective of promoting “research, development, extension, quality up gradation, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of Indian coffee”. It was established near Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, in the heartland of coffee plantations.
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Top Coffee producing States in India 2023
The top coffee producing states in India are:
1. Karnataka
2. Kerala
3. Tamil Nadu
4. Andhra Pradesh
5. Odisha
Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee in India, accounting for over 70% of the country’s total production. Kerala is the second-largest producer, accounting for over 20% of the total production. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha produce the rest of the coffee in India.
Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Russian Federation are the largest importers of coffee from India, with an average total share of about 45%.
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The top coffee producing countries 2023
The following list of countries by coffee production catalogues sovereign states that have conducive climate and infrastructure to foster the production of coffee beans.
The top coffee producing countries in 2023 are:
1. Brazil
2. Vietnam
3. Colombia
4. Indonesia
5. Ethiopia
6. Honduras
7. India
8. Uganda
9. Guatemala
10. Peru
Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee, accounting for over 40% of the global production. Vietnam is the second-largest producer, followed by Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
Coffee is grown in over 70 countries around the world, and it is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Coffee beans are roasted and ground to make coffee, which can be enjoyed in many different ways, such as black, with milk and sugar, or in coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte.
Famous varieties of coffee in India
Some of the famous varieties of coffee in India:
Arabica: Arabica coffee is known for its smooth flavor and complex aroma. It is grown in the high altitudes of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats mountains.
Robusta: Robusta coffee is known for its strong flavor and high caffeine content. It is grown in the lower altitudes of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats mountains.
Monsooned Malabar: Monsooned Malabar coffee is a unique variety of coffee that is exposed to the monsoon rains of Malabar Coast. This gives the coffee a unique flavor that is nutty and earthy.
Kaapi Royale: Kaapi Royale is a premium variety of coffee that is grown in the high altitudes of the Western Ghats Mountains. It is known for its smooth flavor and rich aroma.
Coorg Coffee: Coorg Coffee is a popular variety of coffee that is grown in the Coorg region of Karnataka. It is known for its mild flavor and unique aroma.
These are just a few of the many varieties of coffee that are grown in India. Indian coffee is known for its high quality and unique flavor. It is exported to over 100 countries around the world.
The climatic condition for coffee cultivation in India
The ideal climate for coffee cultivation in India is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius (64 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit) and rainfall between 1500 and 2500 millimeters (mm) per year. Coffee plants cannot tolerate frost, snowfall, or high temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). They are typically grown under the shade of trees to protect them from the sun.
The ideal humidity for coffee cultivation is between 60% and 80%. Coffee plants need high humidity to help them absorb water and nutrients. They also need high humidity to prevent them from drying out.
Coffee plants can tolerate humidity as low as 50%, but they will not produce high-quality coffee under these conditions. Too much humidity can also be harmful to coffee plants, as it can lead to fungal diseases.
How much rainfall do the coffee plants require?
Coffee plants require a moderate amount of rainfall, typically between 1500 and 2500 millimeters (mm) per year. The rainfall should be well-distributed throughout the year, as coffee plants cannot withstand drought.
Coffee plants prefer high humidity, and they grow best in areas with frequent rainfall. However, too much rain can also be harmful to coffee plants, as it can lead to root rot and other diseases.
The ideal rainfall for coffee cultivation varies depending on the type of coffee. For example, Arabica coffee is typically grown in areas with more rainfall, while Robusta coffee is typically grown in areas with less rainfall.
Here is a table of the ideal rainfall for growing different types of coffee:
| Coffee type | Ideal rainfall |
| Arabica | 2000-2500 mm |
| Robusta | 1500-2000 mm |
The Coffee Board of India – MCQs
Q: The Coffee Board of India was established under which act?
(1) The Coffee Act, 1942
(2) The Coffee Act, 1949
(3) The Indian Coffee Control Act, 1938
(4) The Central Tea Board Act, 1949
Answer: (1)
Q: What are the main functions of the Coffee Board of India?
(1) To promote the development of the coffee industry in India
(2) To regulate the production and marketing of coffee
(3) To promote the export of coffee from India
(4) All of the above
Answer: (4)
Q: Which of the following is a major coffee-producing state in India?
(1) Karnataka
(2) Kerala
(3) Tamil Nadu
(4) Punjab
Answer: (1)
Question 5: Which of the following is a major importer of Indian coffee?
(1) United States
(2) Russia
(3) Italy
(4) Germany
Answer: (3)
Q: What is the headquarters of the Coffee Board of India?
(A) Bengaluru, Karnataka
(B) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
(C) Kochi, Kerala
(D) Mumbai, Maharashtra
Answer: (1)
Q: Which of the following is NOT a variety of coffee grown in India?
(1) Arabica
(2) Robusta
(3) Monsooned Malabar
(4) Kona
Answer: (D) Kona
Q: Which of the following is a major challenge facing the Indian coffee industry?
(1) Climate change
(2) Rising labor costs
(3) Coffee rust disease
(4) All of the above
Answer: (4)
Q. Match List I with List II:
List-I (Headquarters) List-II (Board)
(a) Guntur (i) Coffee Board
(b) Bengaluru (ii) Tobacco Board
(c) Kottayam (iii) Tea Board
(d) Kolkata (iv) Rubber Board
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(1) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(2) (ii) (i) (iv) (iii)
(3) (ii) (iv) (iii) (i)
(4) (i) (iii) (ii) (iv)
Answer: (2)
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