Chikkamagaluru: Coffee growers and traders seeking to export to European Union (EU) countries can now register under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) through the new app launched by the Coffee Board of India–India Coffee. The app allows growers to register using land ownership records including RTC and Aadhaar. It also facilitates geo-tagging of coffee estates.K Thangaraj, deputy director of the Coffee Board of India in Chikkamagaluru, said growers exporting coffee to EU countries must register through the board’s EUDR system by Dec 2026. He said EU countries account for 54% of India’s coffee exports. To register, growers need to upload their land ownership documents and Aadhaar details and authenticate them using an OTP.Planters with holdings of more than 10 acres must upload polygon geofencing data through the app. Those with holdings of less than 10 acres need to submit only the GPS coordinates of their estates. Thangaraj said the Coffee Board would assist growers with registration and polygon mapping. If coffee growers’ associations need assistance, officials would also conduct registration camps at gram panchayat level.Officials warned that coffee not registered under the EUDR may not be purchased in EU countries. Unregistered growers could consequently be forced to sell their produce at lower prices.HB Shivanna, president of the Karnataka State Coffee Growers’ Association, said poor network connectivity in Malnad region was hampering registration and geo-tagging. He urged the govt to provide alternative solutions. The Coffee Board recently organised a training programme on the registration process for coffee growers and traders.
