Kerala government declaration to introduce Wayanad Coffee as Brand and intention to market is expected to make the coffee manufacturer, the only one in the country that grows robusta coffee.
Around 50,000 to 60,000 tons of robusta type coffee is grown in North Kerala based Wayanad. It is considered as the only and prominent region to deliver robusta type.
Majority of locations in Karnataka, which is key region known as the highest coffee producer across the country, grows both types of robusta and Arabica beans. A month prior the coffee board has presented its application for getting GI status for locations such as Chikmagalur, Baba Budan Giri, Coorg, Araku Valley, Chikmagalur, and also Wayanad coffee. Out of this Baba Budan Giri, Araku Valley cultivates only Arabica type while rests are famous for both robusta and Arabica.
Head of quality division, Coffee Board, K Basavaraj affirmed that We are optimistic about the getting the GI tag approval tag specifically for Wayanad coffee as we already have the mandatory documents based on the historic and scientific evidence for GI documentation.
Wayanad-based Brahmagiri Development Society, which is co-operative of 13,000 farmers that came into focus owing to the diverse type of meat production under the brand of Malabar Meat, has motivated the action of branding Wayanad Coffee. And with the backing of Kerala government, it has also developed a blueprint to set up an instant coffee factory that is estimated at Rs 60 Crore.
The idea is to sell instant coffee for the price of Rs 3000–7000 per kg which will help to fetch more revenue to growers. With its high-quality product and authentic aroma, its plantation in the semi-forest region also serves to protect the environment.
On the other hand, genuine and unique quality of the coffee beans has been highly demanded in the global market. And this move will also help to take the country bit upwards in terms of coffee production on the global perspective.