Expansion plans for coffee plantation

Visakhapatnam, Mar 29 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said major expansion plans would take place for the betterment of coffee plantations in 11 mandals in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a press meet here, he said coffee cultivation in 75,000 acre land in the state would be doubled to 1,50,000 acre in the next five years.

The Coffee Board was trying to give a strong push to coffee and black pepper production in agency areas. The board would try to turn the area into an 'organic zone', he added.

He stated that more health care, medical and basic facilities should be provided to tribal people in the area.

Tribals in agency areas of 11 mandals were cultivating black pepper and coffee, each in one acre land and were getting remuneration of Rs 50,000. Though they were earning money they were not getting proper health care from the state government, he alleged.

Mr Ramesh said nets, anti-malaria insect medicines, better quality of water and sanitation facilities would be provided in three phases.

He said processing centres and godowns should be set up in each mandal. This was with a view to make the best coffee available for both domestic consumption and for export to the US, China, Japan, Germany and EU countries.

He said efforts were on to promote 'mixed shade' cultivation of coffee. Most coffee plants were grown under the shade of silver oak tress, and this practice should be changed by planting other trees like jackfruit.

The Minister said, Nandi Organic Coffee Project had already signed an agreement with ITC. Nandi would make 200 tonne coffee and supply to the ITC, as per the agreement.

UNI