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M.R. Subramani

Still, grower sources say achieving a three lakh-tonne production should not be difficult during 2002-03 (October-September) season. Of this robustas could be around 1.9 lakh and arabicas the rest.

CHENNAI, May 5

INCIDENCE of white stem borer in coffee plantations in Karnataka's Kodagu district is likely to affect arabica production by at least 10 per cent. Erratic blossom rains may also add to the woes of the growers.

"White stem borer is rampant in Kodagu due to poor crop management practices. Though there are methods to stop this, the grower do not have the money to stop this," the Coffee Board Vice-Chairman, Mr Bose Mandanna, told Business Line.

Most of the growers did not have any capital but the Centre's decision coupled with tax relief offered by the Karnataka Government might provide some relief to them, he said.

Low prices for coffee have affected the growers badly and it has even to led to returns lower than production costs.

While arabica prices hit an eight-year low of 48.10 cents a lb in July, robusta slid to 30-year low below $500 a tonne. Since then, the prices have recovered with arabica being quoted at 51.2 cents and robsta at $520 a tonne in the global market during the weekend. Coffee prices have been ruling low on increased production, especially by Brazil and Vietnam, and high stocks.

According to trade sources, growers' offtake of fertiliser has been lower this year, while pest control practices have also been poor.

"The growers can't help. Unless they get remunerative prices, you can't force them to go in for good horticultural practices," Mr Mandanna said.

Exporters, too, agree that farmers had cared less about their crop due to low prices.

Still, grower sources say achieving a three lakh-tonne production should not be difficult during 2002-03 (October-September) season. Of this robustas could be around 1.9 lakh and arabicas the rest.

"However, many estates in Kodagu are yet to get good blossom showers. There has been sudden rain in some areas, leading to droppings. We will have to wait and watch," the sources said.

Usually, the Coffee Board comes out with a budwood estimate of the expected production for the ensuing season around April. But this year, it has not announced its projections since it wants to be "a little more careful". "We have gone back to the old system of estimates that was prevalent till the 1990s. All extension officers have been asked to do this religiously," Mr Mandanna said.

During the current season, the board has projected 3.06 lt production, with robustas estimated to be 1.79 lt and arabicas the

rest. However, experts in the sector feel that the output could fall to as low as 2.80 lakh tonnes.

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