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| Coffee Plantations |
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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 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 six years to improve the productivity.
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.] 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:
Coffee has good domestic and international markets. The price of coffee in the domestic market is dependent to some extent on the prevailing price in the international market. We generally accept prices that are at least on par with prices prevailing in the international market. If interested, you may write to us quoting your offer. APFDC was adjudged as "BEST COFFEE FROM ARAKU VALLEY REGION" by the International Jury during the Final Cupping Session held in Seattle, USA on April 13, 2005 for Plantation -A sample from "Pedabayalu Estate" submitted under the Code 'AP-04' for the 'Flavour of India - The Fine cup Award Cupping Competition - 2005. Another sample from Lankapakalu Estate submitted under the Code 'A--03' for the same sample was selected for the final round and will be awarded "Certificate of Merit" 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 3.00 lakh Pepper standards including 2.00 lakh standards planted during the past two years. APFDC is getting an yield of about 50 MT of Pepper. 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.
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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.
