Chikkamagaluru: The Coffee Board of India and Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) are developing a package of practices for organic nutrition management to help tribal coffee growers across the country. The new technology, which will provide customised recommendations for blending and applying organic NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) based on soil test results and yield targets, is expected to be ready by Nov.With this initiative, Coffee Board will move away from a generic formula and tailor nutrient ratios to Arabica or Robusta varieties based on plant age and the crop cycle.So far, coffee cultivation has had standard guidelines for chemical fertilisers, but no customised recommendations for organic manures.The initiative is significant as most tribal holdings, owing to traditional practices and low economic inputs, do not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides, making them suitable for organic certification.While the board has been releasing packages for organic coffee cultivation, there were no clear guidelines on the quantity and blending of organic manures.Kalasa grower Anil Kumar said the prescribed proportions could also reduce costs and make plantations more effective.“For chemical fertilisers, we had a standard blend, but for the first time we are customising organic manures. We have roped in several private players and a group of scientists to work on this. The package of practices will be released by Nov,” Coffee Board chairman MJ Dinesh observed.Meanwhile, Dinesh met Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss strengthening coffee plantations at RV Nagar in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.The region currently has 2.43 lakh tribal growers producing about 15,000 tonnes of coffee, though the quality is low. “Our aim is to take it to 50,000 tonnes of quality coffee by 2047. The Andhra CM has assured full support for strengthening plantations,” Dinesh said.
