Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee 2026

This scheme aims to help coffee growers get eco-certified to access premium markets and earn more by Read More... meeting quality and sustainability standards. Read less

Details

The Coffee Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched a special initiative to boost the earnings of coffee growers. Known as 'Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee,' this scheme is part of the larger 'Integrated Coffee Development Project.' The core idea is to empower coffee farmers to produce 'eco-certified' coffee.

What Is This Scheme?

This program encourages coffee growers to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly practices. By getting their coffee certified under recognized eco-standards, growers can tap into high-value specialty markets. This certification helps assure consumers about the quality, traceability, and ethical production of the coffee.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is designed for individual coffee growers and groups of small growers, such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and collectives. It aims to support those who want to achieve recognized sustainability and quality certifications for their coffee produce.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Eco-certification opens doors to markets that pay a premium for responsibly produced coffee. It ensures that the production process respects environmental and social conditions, leading to better returns for farmers and promoting sustainable coffee cultivation across India.

Objective

This scheme aims to help coffee growers get eco-certified to access premium markets and earn more by meeting quality and sustainability standards.

Benefits

Extent of Support/ SubsidyCertification Support:50% of the certification cost, subject to a maximum of ₹50,000 (Rupees 50,000) per individual grower/grower groups. In the case of Organic certification, spread over a period of 3 years or the conversion period, whichever is less; in the case of other certificates, one year, during the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) period.Additional Support for SC/ST Community:Individual coffee growers belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community with a coffee holding size of up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an additional 10% of the certification cost, subject to a maximum of ₹55,000 (Rupees 55,000) per grower during the MIDH period.

Sources and references

Guidelines & Application Form

Eligibility Criteria

Individual growers should own a maximum of 10 hectares of coffee-growing land.
Groups of small growers, like SHGs or collectives, must seek certification for quality and sustainability.
Applicants should not have received a subsidy for the same activity under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) period, unless they are new beneficiaries.
Growers or groups must obtain certification under approved programs such as Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, or Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee standards.
For organic certification support, growers must be certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.
Certification must be obtained only from agencies accredited by the respective certification programs.
Non-tribal growers in non-traditional areas are eligible if they own up to 10 hectares of coffee land.

How To Apply

To claim the subsidy, growers need to follow these steps:

Fill out the application form in duplicate, available in the prescribed format.
Submit the application along with all required documents to the Coffee Board office.
Ensure all documents are submitted within the same financial year the certification activity was completed.

Official Link for Application Form: Prescribed Application Format

Documents Required

To claim the subsidy, you will need the following documents:

Application: A completed application form in duplicate.
Proof of Identity/Registration: Identity proof for individual growers or the registration certificate for grower groups.
Certification Documents: A copy of the certificate issued by the accredited Certification Agency.
Land Ownership Documents: Proof of land ownership, which can include:
- For Karnataka: Copy of Patta/Khatha Extract along with Record of Rights (RTC) for all survey numbers with coffee.
- For Kodagu District (Karnataka): Copy of Land Possession Certificate from the competent Revenue authority (Atalji Kendra) / Central Record Center (CRC) along with RTCs.
- For Tamil Nadu: Copy of Chitta & Adangal.
- For Kerala: Copy of Land Possession Certificate from the competent Revenue authority.
Attested Documents:
- An attested copy of the Certificate issued by the accredited Certification Agency.
- Original invoice/bill for the cost of certification and proof of payment.
- A copy of your Bank Pass Book (preferably Aadhaar seeded) showing account holder name, account number, bank name, branch, and IFSC code.
- If you are a GPA holder, an attested copy of the registered GPA is required.
- For SC/ST category applicants, a caste/community certificate issued by the competent authority.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Coffee Eco-certification Scheme?

The primary aim is to help coffee growers access better, high-value specialty markets by getting their produce eco-certified. This encourages them to follow quality, traceability, and ethical production standards.

Are there special benefits for SC/ST community members?

Yes, individual coffee growers from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) communities who own up to 4.00 hectares of coffee land can get an additional 10% of the certification cost, capped at ₹55,000 during the MIDH period.

Can I get this subsidy if I'm a non-tribal grower in a non-traditional coffee area?

Absolutely. Non-tribal growers in non-traditional areas who own up to 10 hectares of coffee land are also eligible for this support.

What kind of certifications are supported by this scheme?

The scheme supports certifications like Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee, and any other similar recognized standards.

How much financial help can I get for certification?

You can get 50% of your certification cost covered, up to a maximum of ₹50,000 per grower or group. For organic certification, this aid is given over 3 years or the conversion time. For others, it's for one year during the MIDH period.

Where should I get my coffee certified from?

It's important that you obtain certification only from agencies that are officially accredited by the specific certification programs you are applying under.

What are the basic requirements to apply for this scheme?

You need to be an individual grower with up to 10 hectares of coffee land, or a group of small growers like an SHG or collective. You also need to be aiming for recognized sustainability and quality certifications.

What is the procedure to claim the subsidy after getting certified?

Once you have your certification from an accredited agency, you need to submit your application along with a copy of the certificate and other necessary documents to the Coffee Board office within the same financial year the certification was obtained.

Can I get the subsidy if I've already received it for the same activity?

No, you cannot receive the same subsidy for one activity or component during the MIDH period unless you are a new beneficiary being covered.

What specific documents are needed for the subsidy claim?

You'll need an application form, proof of identity or group registration, the issued certificate copy, land ownership papers, an original invoice for certification costs, and your bank passbook. SC/ST applicants need a community certificate, and GPA holders need their registered GPA copy.

Do I need to follow specific standards for organic certification support?

Yes, if you're seeking support for organic certification, you must be certified according to the standards of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).