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A.P. Forest Development Corporation Ltd., |
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A.P. Forest Development Corporation Ltd., |
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Robusta Variety of Coffee |
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Kaveri Variety of Coffee |
Andhra Pradesh has non-traditional areas for growing coffee. Coffee is grown here in the Eastern Ghats, agency areas of Chintapalli, Paderu and Maredumilli of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts.
The main objective to introduce coffee was to wean away the tribals from felling
of forests for shifting cultivation (Podu) by providing them with gainful
employment and thus to protect the catchment area of Sileru River by proper soil
and moisture conservation.
The AP Forest Department had raised coffee plantations over an area of 1296 ha. as an under crop from 1960 to 1978. These plantations were handed over to AP Forest Development Corporation for maintenance. Further, during the period from 1978 to 1984, APFDC had also raised the plantations to an extent of 2716.18 ha. Thus, at present with 4012.18 ha., of coffee plantations, APFDC is the single largest grower of coffee in Andhra Pradesh and also in the non-traditional areas.
The yield per hectare from APFDC Plantations is more than 300 kgs which is much more when compared to 140 kgs / Ha obtained by private growers. In order to improve the yields from these plantations further, i.e., upto 600 - 800 kgs., per hectare, APFDC has embarked upon a programme of planting high yielding variety of coffee known as "Kaveri".
The following are the planting details of Kavery and other varieties in the gaps of coffee plantations during the last five years to improve the productivity.
| Year |
No. of Seedlings Planted |
|---|---|
| 2007-08 |
195000 |
| 2008-09 |
322348 |
| 2009-10 |
203049 |
| 2010-11 |
237025 |
| 2011-12 |
360871 |
Coffee plantations located in the agency areas are not only creating six lakh man-days of employment to the local tribals every year, protecting the forest area from encroachment, but also are providing a coverage of insurance against soil erosion and helping in moisture conservation. These plantations are also giving substantial revenue from the sale of coffee. The following are the details of Coffee yields and revenues realised during the past five years.
| Year | Yield (in MT) |
Revenue (Rs. in lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 689 | 794.00 |
| 2008-09 | 1053 | 1248.00 |
| 2009-10 | 669 | 978.00 |
| 2010-11 | 906 | 2013.00 |
| 2011-12 | 450 | 878.00 |
APFDC sells its coffee at Vijayawada every year and also at Bangalore by way of auctions conducted every month from January to May / June at the address:
Rotary Hall,
Gymkhana Club Road,
Gandhi Nagar,
Vijayawada-520 003,
A.P., India.
Coffee has good domestic and international markets. The price of coffee in the domestic market is dependent to a large extent on the prevailing price in the international market.
APFDC has bagged "FLAVOUR OF INDIA - THE FINE CUP AWARD" during the years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The recognition for the State at International Level for APFDC Coffee will go a long way in promoting Coffee Sales in the years to come.
Pepper
Pepper is grown as an inter-crop in lush green coffee estates of APFDC. It is grown as a climber on the shade trees in coffee estates. At present there are about 3.50 lakh Pepper standards including 2.00 lakh standards planted during the past two years. Pepper has a very good international market. Thus it is adding to the income generated from Coffee plantations.
The following are the details of Pepper yields and revenues realised during the past five years.
| Year | Yield (in MT) | Revenue (Rs. in lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 54.76 | 75.97 |
| 2008-09 | 13.40 | 16.14 |
| 2009-10 | 123.00 | 176.00 |
| 2010-11 | 32.00 | 91.00 |
| 2011-12 | 22.00 | 70.00 |
For details on the Pepper Sales / Auctions, click here: