An employee in a coffee estate. Image for representational purposes only. , Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
Karnataka’s major coffee growing districts – Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan – have made notable gains Less rain so far this monsoon Compared to last season. While this is worrying, coffee planters are also worried about the possibility of heavy rains in a short period in the post-monsoon phase, a phenomenon that has put them in jeopardy in the past.
According to the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA), the primary coffee growers body based in Chikkamagaluru, the rainfall received so far in the coffee heartland is 60% less than the same period last year.
confirming that HinduIndia Meteorological Department scientist A. Prasad said Kodagu was the most affected of the three districts as it received 60% less rainfall compared to the same period last monsoon. A shortfall of 48% was felt in Hassan district and 44% in Chikkamagaluru.
However, Mr Prasad said: “This deficit of rain is likely to reduce as we expect normal rains over the state from July 21 to August 4. Between July 21 and July 27, we will get active monsoon over Coastal Karnataka, Ghats districts likely to see.” , the northern interior of the State, and the Coffee District.
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worry about the rain
Mahesh Shashidhar, president of the KPA, said that the reduction in rainfall has not affected the coffee crop so far, but in the long term it will affect the planters as less rainfall means less availability of groundwater and rivers and springs in the plantations. Must dry.
“What we fear the most is heavy rains for several days in a row. This will certainly have an adverse effect on the coffee crop. Already, most of the orchards did not get timely flowering in February-March, which had a negative impact on berry setting and yield,” he said.