Itanagar, Oct 3: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday called for a concerted effort to expand coffee cultivation in the state to enhance the income of growers through a stronger value chain.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Hills to Cup’ Coffee Workshop, organised by the Coffee Board of India in collaboration with the state Agriculture department, the chief minister said coffee was not new to the state, with its cultivation having begun nearly five decades ago. However, he noted that the potential of coffee had not received adequate awareness and promotion over the years.
Khandu described the workshop as an important beginning in Arunachal Pradesh’s renewed journey towards coffee cultivation, particularly as it brings together growers, young entrepreneurs, technical experts and other stakeholders on a common platform.
“This is, in a way, the first chapter of the state stepping towards the history of coffee in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
The chief minister said the state government would closely follow up on the outcomes of the workshop and explore appropriate policy interventions to support coffee growers and entrepreneurs.
Khandu said the workshop would help identify the technical gaps and challenges faced by growers, following which the Coffee Board of India’s technical experts would prepare recommendations for the state government.
“As they recommend, the state government will extend full support to you in the coming days,” the chief minister assured the participants.
He said the state government had introduced several interventions and schemes under agriculture and horticulture over the past five to six years, but coffee had not received a dedicated policy intervention so far.
Khandu said he would personally follow up with the Coffee Board of India to determine what specific policy measures could be introduced to handhold the sector.
Highlighting the scope for expansion, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh currently has only around 600 hectares under coffee cultivation, according to data available with the Agriculture Department.
A substantial portion of the existing plantation, he noted, is under the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation in eastern Arunachal, while several growers attending the workshop have taken up coffee cultivation as pilot or model initiatives.
The chief minister said the state’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, fertile land and availability of different climatic zones provide a favourable foundation for expanding coffee cultivation.
He stressed that the objective should not merely be to increase the area under cultivation, but also to improve productivity per hectare, quality of coffee beans and farmers’ incomes through value addition and a stronger value chain.
Describing coffee as a promising avenue for young entrepreneurs, Khandu said the growing tourism sector in Arunachal Pradesh could create additional opportunities for coffee growers and businesses.
“Tourists who come to Arunachal always prefer coffee. With tourism growing so much in Arunachal, this is a very good avenue for our youngsters,” he said.
He urged young people to explore coffee cultivation, processing and related enterprises as avenues for employment and entrepreneurship, adding that the state should not miss the emerging opportunities associated with the sector.
The chief minister also highlighted the growing global market for coffee and its potential as a commercial crop, while noting the health benefits associated with coffee consumption.
Khandu urged participating growers and entrepreneurs to use the workshop to raise their technical questions and clarify their doubts directly with Coffee Board experts.
He said the workshop was intended to address the existing gaps in technical know-how and provide growers with practical knowledge required to take coffee cultivation forward in the state.
“The technical session is an opportunity to ask whatever questions you have in your mind,” he said, assuring that the state government would continue to support the sector based on the recommendations emerging from the technical consultations.(PTI)
