E-Paper
Major boost likely for coffee growers
The coffee plantation sector might have something to cheer about with the government planning to unveil revival package which is could include a debt relief scheme for the embattled growers.
The coffee plantation sector might have something to cheer about with the government planning to unveil revival package which is could include a debt relief scheme for the embattled growers.
Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has said that the ministry is aware of the problems.
Coffee growers located primarily in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been hit hard by slump in the global demand for coffee and low domestic production.
The revised post monsoon crop forecast of Coffee Board of India for the year 2008-09 is placed at 262,300 tonnes with the arabica and robusta accounting for 79,500 tonnes and 182,800 tonnes respectively.
There has been a 10.48 per cent drop in estimated production.
Exports have fallen by over 22 per cent at $411.56 million in 2008-09 as compared to $502.84 million in the previous year.
Officials said the government is examining a proposal to offer debt-waiver cum relief scheme for the
According to officials the total relief package would be in the range of over Rs 1,300 crore and would also include a comprehensive crop insurance scheme.
