Bhubaneswar: Organic coffee farming, which is transforming the lives of tribal communities in Odisha’s Koraput district, is set to make its presence in every corner of the country and abroad.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday informed that Tata Group has agreed to sell the homegrown brand of Koraput coffee, keeping the product’s identity intact.
Patnaik highly praised Sulochana Khara, a woman coffee farmer of Kasampadar village, for her contribution to the expansion and enrichment of coffee farming in Koraput.
Lauding the efforts of farmers of Koraput, the Odisha CM said, “The dedication and commitment of farmers like Sulochana Khara has made Koraput coffee popular. She has sold 200 kg coffee to TDCCOL and made a mark as a successful coffee farmer in the State.”
“Following this, a special package has been announced for Koraput tribals. This special plan will protect the livelihoods of the Tribals. Coffee plantation has played a key role in safeguarding the livelihood of locals during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a significant move for farmers of the region,” Naveen said.
As of June 2021, 30,000 families have been granted 46,000 acres of forest land. In 2020-21, TDCCOL collected 28,790 kg of coffee cherries from 143 tribal coffee farmers in Laxmipur, Kashipur, Dasmantapur, Nandapur, Lamtaput, Koraput and Pottangi blocks of the district.
Notably, Koraput, situated in the Eastern Ghats at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level, is known as much for its picturesque hills and streams as it is for its organic coffee. Koraput’s cool climes make it ideal for coffee growing.
