When you think about coffee plantation in India, you probably think of the large cities of Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. But the truth is that the best coffee in India is actually cultivated in small towns, villages, and a few isolated mountains. Here’s where you can find these farms.
Chikhaldara
Chikhaldara, also known as Keechakdara, is a beautiful hill station in Amravati district of Maharashtra. It was once popular with British tourists. The town is situated at an altitude of 1118 metres. It is home to many old forts and lakes.
It is a perfect place for trekking. It is surrounded by lush green vegetation. There are several museums here. It is also home to a sanatorium. The area has lost 70 acres of coffee plantations since the British left. The weather is moderate, with an average annual rainfall of 154 cms.
The town is well connected by road from Amravati and Nagpur. MSRTC buses ply from these places to Chikhaldara.
The area is also home to several tiger reserve. The Melghat Tiger Project is home to 82 tigers and many species of deer. Other animals found in this place include wild boar, leopard, Rhesus monkey, blue bull and mouse deer.
The area is also home to several other species of birds. In addition, it is a great place for camping. The lake has beautiful waterfalls and coffee plantations.
Visiting Chikhaldara is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the Amravati region. It is the ideal spot for bird watching.
Yercaud
Yercaud is one of the lesser explored hill stations in South India. It is situated on the Shevaroy Hills of the Eastern Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is 250 km from Bangalore.
Yercaud is home to some of the oldest coffee plantations in India. It is also known for its fruit plantations. There are some quaint homestays in the area. The cool climate draws visitors throughout the year. The berry-picking season in November is particularly popular. The estate offers some of the most breathtaking views in India.
Yercaud is a great destination for trekking. You can enjoy the picturesque beauty of the hills while you indulge in some fun-filled activities. For instance, you can visit the Botanical Garden, Lady’s Seat, Emerald Lake and Killiyur Falls. The area is also home to some excellent hiking trails.
Yercaud is also a great place to go bird watching. Many migratory birds make their homes here. The Yercaud hills are covered with mist during winters. Yercaud is a favorite destination for visitors, especially during the berry picking season.
You can also tour the coffee estates in the region. For example, you can visit the Gowri Estate, which is located 14 km from Sterling Yercaud. You can enjoy a tour that includes panoramic vistas and freshly brewed coffee.
Karnataka
In 1840, the first coffee plantation was founded near Baba Budan Giri in Karnataka. Coffee plantations in southern India grew rapidly. In fact, most of the production in India today takes place in the south. The southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka offer perfect climate and soil for growing the coffee crop.
Chikmagalur is the heart of the Karnataka coffee industry. It is one of the best places for Arabica coffee cultivation in the country. The Western Ghats of Karnataka receive ample rainfall during the monsoon season.
The Coorg region in southwest Karnataka has many coffee estates. They are famous for their shade grown Arabica and Robusta varieties. In addition, the area is home to a number of waterfalls and a popular national park.
The area is also renowned for its unique culture. The forests are populated by peacocks, which enjoy showing off their colorful feathers.
In the past decade, the demand for coffee has increased by 40%. It has been a challenge for the Indian exporters to meet the demands. The growing epidemic of virus in the country is likely to make the situation worse.
The recent weather conditions have caused serious damage to coffee plantations in the state. Heavy rains have led to massive landslides and other damages.
Kerala
Kerala is one of the leading tea and coffee plantation regions of India. The climate of the Malabar region is favorable, allowing for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. The tea and coffee gardens of Kerala are well-known for their beauty and aroma.
The Malabar region is also known for its monsooned coffee. This special delicacy was discovered accidentally. It requires hardly any extra effort to grow.
The Malabar region is also famous for its peaceful climate and natural flora. The monsoons add a special mystic touch to the scenery. The area offers a range of tourist attractions and activities.
The state’s major coffee producing areas include Nelliampathy, Wayanad, Travancore, and Kodagu. Each of these districts has coffee estates spread over 85,000 hectares.
Robusta and Arabica are the two main varieties of coffee that are grown in Wayanad. The former fetches a lesser price than the latter. The plantations of these two varieties are largely produced by small-scale farmers.
A trip through the tea and coffee gardens of Kerala will leave visitors speechless. The scenic beauty and tranquility of the area will appeal to travelers from all over the world.
The region also has a number of social networks and associations relating to coffee and tea plantations. The region has become an incredibly popular holiday destination.
Tamil Nadu
There are a lot of places in Tamil Nadu that grow coffee. Some of them are Coonoor, Salem and Coimbatore. Nilgiris and Kodaikanal are also important areas for coffee production. There are several varieties of coffee, such as Arabica, Robusta, and Coffea bengalensis.
The Coorg is one of the largest coffee producing regions in India. It is known for its Robusta brews. The region is surrounded by lakes and rolling green hills. It is popular for its hiking trails and homestays.
The Malabar region of Kerala is also a major coffee producing area. Its main varieties are Arabica and Rubusta. The region is also a popular tourist destination. The state is home to a population of one-horned rhinoceros.
The best time to visit the coffee plantations of Tamil Nadu is in November, when the berries are ripe. The region is also a favourite for bird watching. The Kuruva Dweep river and the Edakkal caves are other attractions.
Another place in Tamil Nadu that grows coffee is Yercaud. This scenic location is located in the Shevaroy Hills. It is also home to some of the most well-known coffee plantations in the country.
There is also an organic coffee plantation in the district. This is a 35-acre farm with a dense and lush greenery.
Andhra Pradesh
If you are wondering where is coffee plantation in Andhra Pradesh, you’ll be glad to know that there are some good places in the state for this crop. In fact, you may be surprised at the number of acres that are under cultivation.
There are three main regions in Andhra Pradesh where the coffee crop is grown. These include the Araku Valley, Maredumilli and Paderu. These areas are surrounded by a protected ecosystem.
These areas also feature an undulating topography with terraced slopes and scattered coffee farms. They are ideal for growing high-yielding coffee varieties, such as S5, S9 and Chandragiri. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department began scaling up coffee plantations in the region in the 1970s. The government eventually handed over the coffee plantations to tribal farmers for cultivation at two acres per family.
The present study examines the economic viability of cultivating coffee by tribals in Visakhapatnam district. The net present value of the annual cost of cultivation was used to assess the return on investment.
The findings indicate that the cultivation of coffee in the area is economically viable. The main aim of the introduction of coffee was to provide gainful employment to the tribals.
Manipur
Coffee plantation in Manipur has the potential to improve the State’s economy. In fact, the state has the chance to become an international hub for coffee.
Coffee is a perennial crop, which means it takes three to four years for the plants to bear fruit. However, once the plants have grown, they continue to produce fruits for around 50 years. The trees require pruning, lopping and maintaining as they grow. This also provides additional income for the farmers.
Several districts in the State are taking drives for coffee plantation. The state’s terrain is best suited for Arabica beans, but Robustas can also be grown.
A one-day training programme was organised by the Coffee Board of India. The workshop aimed at imparting technical knowledge on coffee plantation. It covered problems faced by early planters, alternatives for combating losses and the role of coffee in different sectors.
The participants were facilitated by the Extension Inspector, Miranda Sanjenbam. She presented a detailed explanation of how to plant coffee.
The board is working to increase the number of coffee plants in the state. It has already planted 7 ha under Arabica and 240 ha under Robusta.
L Radhakishore, the MLA of Manipur, attended the workshop as a resource person. He appealed to the farmers to take up coffee plantation. He suggested that in hilly areas, poppy cultivation should be replaced with coffee plantation.
