Puttur: In Dakshina Kannada, where areca nut has long dominated agriculture, a shift towards coffee cultivation is gaining momentum. Concerned about potential downturns in the areca industry, farmers have already planted over one lakh coffee saplings, sparking widespread interest in the crop.
While areca nut remains the primary source of income, local farmers have traditionally grown secondary crops like coconut, banana, pepper, cocoa, nutmeg, and cardamom. Except for pepper, most of these have struggled due to fluctuating prices, diseases, and damage from wild animals, prompting cultivators to explore coffee more seriously.
Karnataka is India’s top coffee-producing state, with Kodagu leading production. Farmers in DK experimented with coffee as early as the 1970s by sourcing plants from Kodagu, but large-scale adoption never took off until now. Agricultural experts recently visiting the region have encouraged coffee planting, citing favourable soil and climate.
Rising labour costs and a shortage of workers for areca cultivation are also pushing the shift. Coffee requires less labour, is easier to maintain, and offers both domestic and international market potential. Properly processed beans can be stored for years, enabling farmers to sell when prices peak.
The government’s Integrated Coffee Development Project is encouraging expansion into non-traditional areas like DK to meet global demand. India aims to raise production from 4 lakh metric tonnes to 7 lakh metric tonnes, with experts believing the country could surpass Brazil as the top global producer. The Coffee Board has confirmed DK’s suitability for the crop, boosting farmers’ confidence.