ITANAGAR, 3 Oct: Chief Minister Pema Khandu called for a concerted effort to expand coffee cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that the state's diverse agro-climatic conditions and fertile land provide a favourable foundation for it.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a coffee workshop, organized by the Coffee Board of India on Saturday, Khandu urged youth to explore coffee cultivation, processing and related enterprises as avenues for employment and entrepreneurship. He said that the state should not miss the emerging opportunities associated with the sector.
The chief minister said coffee was not new to the state and its cultivation had begun nearly five decades ago, but its potential had never received adequate awareness and promotion over the years.
Describing the workshop as an important beginning to Arunachal Pradesh's renewed journey in coffee cultivation, he said the state government would closely follow up on the outcomes of the workshop and explore appropriate policy interventions to support coffee growers and entrepreneurs.
Khandu said the workshop would help identify the technical gaps and challenges faced by growers, following which the Coffee Board of India's technical experts would prepare recommendations for the state government.
Stating that coffee had not received a dedicated policy intervention so far, the chief minister said that he would follow up with the Coffee Board of India to determine what specific policy measures could be introduced to handhold the sector.
He also urged coffee growers not only to increase the area under cultivation, but also to improve productivity per hectare, quality of coffee beans and farmers' incomes through value addition and a stronger value chain.
Khandu said the growing tourism sector in Arunachal Pradesh could create additional opportunities for coffee growers and businesses as tourists visiting to Arunachal generally prefer coffee.
The chief minister also highlighted the growing global market for coffee and its potential as a commercial crop and the health benefits associated with its consumption.
He said the workshop was intended to address the existing gaps in technical know-how and provide growers with practical knowledge required to take coffee cultivation forward in the state.
The chief minister assured that the state government would continue to support the sector based on the recommendations emerging from the technical consultations.
According to data available with the agriculture department, Arunachal Pradesh currently has only around 600 hectares under coffee cultivation.
A substantial portion of the existing plantation is under the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation in eastern Arunachal, while several growers attending the workshop have taken up coffee cultivation as pilot or model initiatives. (CMO's PR Cell)
