Coffee production in Kerala in 2007-08 is likely to decline by 17% compared to the previous year, according to figures provided by the state-run Coffee Board.
Erratic weather, and the unusually high rains in July has struck the crop with more than 40,000 of the holdings (out of the total 55,000) in Wayanad applying for calamity relief, Coffee Board joint director K Anapornaiah told FE.
The continuous downpour has seen shriveling and falling of coffee berries? due to fungus attack. ?Shade cropping has been affected in many regions and the crop is likely to suffer. Without proper shade-cropping fungus attack increase due to the unavailability of sunlight,? a farmer said.
?Crops in southern Kerala have not been affected by the fungus attack,? Anapornaiah said. Berry initiation and elongation of coffee depends on the volume of rain and moisture content of the environment. The excess moisture and overcast sky is also seen affecting the quality of the coffee. Production is likely to decrease by almost 5% of the post-blossom estimate made by the Coffee Board, according to the Wayand Coffee Growers’ Association. The post blossom estimate by the board has put the crop at 55,322 tonne as against the 64,073 tonne (final estimate) of the previous year. Taking into account the crop loss due to fungus attack the new crop is likely to be around 52,937 tonne, Anapornaiah said.
Kerala accounts for about 25% of the country’s coffee production and 21% of the total cultivating area. Wayanad produces 82% of Kerala’s coffee, with the robusta variety accounting for almost 98% of the total output. According to the estimates of the Coffee Board, Kerala?s Arabica crop for 2007-08 is projected at 1,350 tonne (down 1.82% from the level of 1,375 tonne). Robusta arrivals peak in February-March.