BANGALORE - Indian coffee growers have to increase their productivity and quality of beans to compete in the global market and sustain the growth momentum achieved after years of cyclical downturn, a top official said Wednesday at the International Coffee Festival (ICCF 2009).

“Stakeholders in the coffee industry comprising planters, curers, roasters and exporters have to find out innovative methods to produce, process, cure and market their Arabicas and Robustas to enhance their competitive edge in the global market and sustain growth in an environment impacted by climate change,” said Karnataka Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath.

Inaugurating the three-day ICCF 2009, Ranganath said though about 70 percent of the coffee produced in India is exported, the yield per acre continued to be far lower than competing countries such as Brazil and Colombia and late entrants like Vietnam.

“There is an urgent need for Indian growers to enhance the production from about 400kg per acre to one tonne or two tonnes per acre as in Brazil and Colombia. Shift in production from Arabica to Robusta is also a cause for concern as quality and competitive edge will be at stake,” Ranganath told about 500 delegates participating in the event from 17 countries.

Acknowledging that Indian coffee was grown in adverse conditions, Ranganath said unlike producers in South America, Indian growers did not have the benefit of volcanic soil, consistent rainfall, conducive temperatures and innovative technologies to increase the yield.

“Indian coffee is at crossroads. There is a need to invest in new methods of growing the beans not only to increase the volume, but also to prevent damage to the crop from rust and stem-borer,” Ranganath said.

Over the last decade, Indian growers have shifted to grow more Robusta than Arabica. As a result, the quantum of Robusta has gone up to 68 percent in 1999-2000 from 57 percent, while that of Arabica has declined to 32 percent from 43 percent.

“Hence, we need to increase Arabica production to produce varieties, which can grow up to two tonnes per acre for sustainable production,” Ranganath, a former Coffee Board chairman, noted.

State-run Coffee Board chairman G.V. Krishna Rau said there was an urgent need for the industry professionals, especially in the value chain, to come together and undertake growth activities.

“We are addressing the most important challenges impacting on the sustainable production of coffee, appreciation and development of skills for positioning coffee as a desirable beverage,” Rau said in his address.

Earlier, the third edition of the fest began on a subdued note in light of the floods in north Karnataka and main dignitaries keeping away from the inaugural function.

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, who was to inaugurate the three-day event, informed the organisers that he was unable to participate in the function due to pressing engagements in New Delhi.

Similarly, Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily, who hails from Karnataka and was to unveil the fest exhibition, kept away as he too was otherwise occupied in the national capital.

In the absence of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and many of his cabinet colleagues, who are preoccupied with the relief and rehabilitation measures in the flood-hit districts, Ranganath inaugurated the fest and presided over the function.

“We have toned down the fest due to the floods in Karnataka and neighbouring states,” Rau said.