MP Brijesh Chowta Appeals for Support to Boost Coffee Cultivation in Dakshina Kannada

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has written to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, urging the Coffee Board to extend its support to coffee cultivation in the district. In his letter, Chowta highlighted the challenges faced by arecanut farmers due to extreme weather, diseases, and pests, which have led to significant yield losses. As a result, many farmers are seeking to diversify their agricultural practices by exploring coffee cultivation, which suits the local climate.

However, Chowta pointed out that while neighboring regions like Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu receive support from the Coffee Board and the central coffee research institute, Dakshina Kannada remains underserved. This lack of facilities and assistance is limiting the potential growth of the coffee industry in the district and restricting economic opportunities for local farmers.

Chowta emphasized that the proximity of Dakshina Kannada to traditional coffee-growing regions makes it feasible for the Coffee Board to provide necessary support through training, technical assistance, and market access initiatives. This would help farmers overcome the challenges of coffee cultivation and ensure its sustainability in the region.

In addition to his appeal to the Coffee Board, Chowta also wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, urging intervention to control the leaf spot disease affecting arecanut crops in the district. He requested training for farmers and agricultural workers to manage the disease effectively.

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