Tata Coffee, one of India’s largest coffee producers, is set to buy coffee beans grown by tribal in Odisha’s Koraput district.
The new purchase deal involving Tata Coffee is likely to give confidence to tribal coffee growers for continuing their beverage plantation.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a statement on Sunday: “The cooperation of Tata Coffee in State government’s efforts to uplift socio-economic standard of coffee farmers will prove beneficial in their welfare. It carries importance in protection of livelihood of tribals at critical juncture like COVID pandemic.”
According to the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Limited (TDCCOL), everything about the 100% Arabica coffee beans is sourced from the State itself.
Cooperation with a company like Tata Coffee will give impetus to the economy of the district. The climatic conditions in Koraput are favorable for the cultivation of coffee, so this year at least 80 hectares of plantation will be done in more areas.
A departmental survey has found that at least 1.45 lakh hectares in the district are suitable for coffee cultivation, but at present only 1,467 hectares are being planted. According to an official, the state government has given 46,000 acres of forest land to the tribals for coffee plantation under the Forest Rights Act till June this year.
