Coffee Board, CB, 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. It was during 18th century that the commercial plantations of coffee were started, thanks to the success of British entrepreneurs in conquering the hostile forest terrain in south India. Since then, Indian coffee industry has made rapid strides and earned a distinct identity in the coffee map of the world.

Growth and Decline of Indian coffee industry

In the interim, the coffee industry in India has experienced great fluctuations in fortunes. Initially the spread of commercial Arabica plantations was rapid in the hills of present day Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, till 1860’s. Within next few years, major out breaks of pests and diseases like white stem borer, green bug and leaf rust posed a serious threat to the flourishing coffee industry. The continuous ravages of white stem borer and leaf rust spelled doom for Arabica plantations whose area started declining alarmingly. This necessitated introduction of tolerant robusta from Indo-China region towards the 1900’s and initiation of research efforts to search for remedial measures.

Coffee Board & its functions

Role of Coffee Board

Research Department

Extension Wing

Market Research & Intelligence Unit

Promotion Department

Role in Export Promotion

Role in Domestic Promotion

Brief introduction on Indian Coffee