Lok Sabha Question No. 3988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Decline in Coffee Production
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3988 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2017

## DECLINE IN COFFEE PRODUCTION

## 3988. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE :

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the coffee board has predicted an 8 per cent decline in coffee production for the 2016-17 season, due to erratic/ deficit rains in western ghat states and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the emergence of pests such as the white stem borer (wsb) is hurting coffee production and has been a major cause of concern for growers in india;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the government in this regard;
- (d) the  estimated  output  of  robusta  and  arabica  variety  of  coffee  for  2016-17  and whether crop size is likely to shrink as compared to 2015-16 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  government  expects  dip  in  coffee  exports  with  the  lower  output  in 2016-17 and if so, details thereof and the quantum of coffee exported during the last three years ?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  The  Coffee  Board  predicted  a  decline  of  about  9%  in  coffee  production  for  the  2016-17 season  in  comparison  with  the  previous  year  i.e.,  2015-16.  This  decline  is  primarily  attributed  to erraticrains during February and March in Western Ghats.
- (b) &  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  White  Stem  Borer  is  one  of  the  major  pests  affecting  Arabica  coffee  in  India.  The changing climatic conditions especially erratic rainfall and high temperature have aggravated the problem.

The Coffee Board has developed an integrated pest management package and has intensified research efforts  through  multi-institutional  collaborative  projects  with  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), National Centre for  Biological  Sciences  (NCBS)  etc.  A  special  action  plan  was  implemented  for  2  years  (2014-16)  for rehabilitation  of  stem  borer  affected  holdings  by  providing  support  for  various  components  like  group nurseries for raising seedlings, gap filling, consolidation, and replantation.

A  National  Level  Steering  Committee  for  White  Stem  Borer  has  identified  priority  areas  for  research, sanctioned  short  term  and  medium  term  collaborative  R&D  projects  and  is  monitoring  these  projects periodically.

- (d) The estimated output of Robusta and Arabica variety of coffee for 2016-17 and 2015-2016 and decline is detailed as under:
- (e) Coffee exports in a particular year are generally contributed by the current year coffee production as well as the stock of previous year.  Accordingly, the likely dip in production during 2016-17 may effect export during next year. Due to bumper crop in 2015-16, the coffee exports have increased during the current year 2016-17 when compared to last three years. The quantum and value of coffee exported during the last three years are as follows:

|                       | Arabica (Production in MT)   | Robusta (Production in MT)   | Total       |
|-----------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------|
| 2015-16               | 1,03,500                     | 2,44,500                     | 3,48,000 MT |
| 2016-17 (Post monsoon | 96,200                       | 2,20,500                     | 3,16,700 MT |
| Decline in MT         | 7,300                        | 24,000                       | 31,300 MT   |
| Decline in%           | 7%                           | 10%                          | 9%          |

| Year                                 | Quantum** (Tonne)   | Value (Rs.Crore)   |
|--------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|
| 2013-14                              | 2,99,561            | 4,648.76           |
| 2014-15                              | 2,72,224            | 4,805.77           |
| 2015-16*                             | 3,18,059            | 5,175.91           |
| 2016-17* (01.04.2016 to 15.03.2017 ) | 3,40,259            | 5,366.19           |

* Based on permits issued; ** including re-exports to the tune of 21%

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