Madikeri: Kodagu Deputy commissioner offered vital tips to all stake holders to promote coffee in order to increase the internal demand for the beverage among tourists when they step inside the coffee land during the inauguration of International coffee day celebrations at Dubare in Kodagu.
Expressing his candid views on the banks of River Cauvery, DC Dr. Richard Vincent D’Souza said, Kodagu district despite growing the best coffee has lagged behind in satisfying customers. Excellent agricultural output must complement demand generation where every tourist shows inclination to sip a cup of coffee forgetting everything else on the table. He also shared his experience when he said, tourists getting disillusioned by the non availability of quality coffee across coffee outlets in the district and stressed on the need to work on consumer mindset.
The Deputy conservator of forests Yedukondalu said, despite excellent yield, in-house consumption of coffee has not touched desired levels. When one sips quality coffee in a conducive atmosphere (referring to ideal climatic conditions) that exists in the hilly district one rate coffee as a healthy beverage, better than honey, he opined.
District tourism officer Jagannath said, most coffee products are adulterated and suggested that the home industry should strive to produce quality branded products to enhance consumption.
Appangala spices board scientist Ankegowda felt that coffee is a healthy beverage and the government should include it in profitable crops list.
Kodagu coffee awareness union president Chitra Subbaiah listed the achievements of the union since inception in 2003 with 403 members in list and where as the treasurer Bhavana Praveen rued over the impact of concretization of coffee plantations, referring to innumerable resorts and home stays.
Large numbers of home makers were present in the gathering. Around 50,000 tourists visiting Dubare elephant training camp during the day and Raja seat in the evening will be served flavor filled coffee free of cost today.
