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Indian Coffee Gaining Popularity Globally

27 Oct 2025 GS 3 Agriculture

Context

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address, highlighted that Indian coffee is gaining global popularity and helping cultivators across multiple regions of India.

Key Points

  • Regions Producing Coffee:

    • Karnataka: Chikmagalur, Coorg, Hassan

    • Tamil Nadu: Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, Annamalai

    • Kerala: Wayanad, Travancore, Malabar

    • Karnataka–Tamil Nadu Border: Biligiri region

    • North-East: Emerging as a new coffee cultivation zone

  • Economic & Social Aspects:

    • Coffee cultivation has become a source of income diversification, particularly in tribal and women-led farming communities.

    • In Koraput (Odisha), coffee farming is being promoted as specialty tribal coffee, similar to the Araku coffee model (Andhra Pradesh).

    • Women play a central role in harvesting and processing coffee, making the sector inclusive and empowering.

  • Environmental Significance:

    • Coffee plantations have helped restore degraded forests, reduce soil erosion, and prevent migration by improving rural livelihoods.

    • Promotes sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture in hilly and tribal regions.

  • Economic Data:

    • Coffee area in India: 4.90 lakh hectares

    • Production: 3.63 lakh metric tonnes

    • Export share: 70% of total production

    • Export destinations: Over 120 countries

    • Export value (2024–25): Around USD 1.8 billion

    • Major export varieties: Arabica and Robusta

  • Government Role:

    • The Coffee Board of India is actively supporting:

      • Market linkages

      • Specialty branding (e.g., Koraput, Araku)

      • Skill development and women’s participation

Prelims Practice MCQ

Q. With reference to coffee cultivation in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Coffee cultivation in India is confined only to the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

  2. India exports more than half of its coffee production to foreign markets.

  3. Koraput coffee of Odisha is being promoted as a specialty tribal coffee similar to Araku coffee of Andhra Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: Coffee cultivation is expanding to the North-East and Odisha; exports constitute ~70% of total production.

Q. Match the following Coffee Regions with their Distinguishing Features:

List I (Region)

List II (Characteristic)

A. Coorg (Karnataka)

1. Specialty tribal coffee initiative under Coffee Board

B. Araku (Andhra Pradesh)

2. Organic shade-grown coffee, international recognition

C. Koraput (Odisha)

3. Traditional Arabica coffee area with high rainfall

D. Wayanad (Kerala)

4. Major Robusta producing area, dense evergreen cover

Options:
(a) A–3, B–2, C–1, D–4
(b) A–4, B–3, C–2, D–1
(c) A–1, B–4, C–2, D–3
(d) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation:

  • Coorg → high rainfall, traditional Arabica region

  • Araku → organic tribal coffee, export brand

  • Koraput → tribal specialty coffee initiative

  • Wayanad → Robusta region



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