Incessant rain damages coffee, pepper crops in Karnataka; growers face heavy losses

Hassan (Karnataka) [India], July 30 (ANI): Coffee growers in Karnataka have incurred 60 per cent yield losses after heavy rains lashed and damaged plantations in the coffee heartlands of the state.

Heavy and continuous rains and cold weather in the hilly districts of Hassan, Chikkamagalur for the past month have adversely affected the coffee and pepper crops.

This year, in summer, excessive temperatures were recorded, due to which the coffee crop was damaged.

Due to the continuous rains that are currently pouring down, the coffee crop growers are facing 60 per cent yield losses.

Meanwhile, due to excessive wind and rain, trees were uprooted and damage was caused in the plantations.

Along with coffee, the black pepper crop was also affected by blight, and along with trees, pepper vines were also downed.

A coffee farmer of Kanenahalli, Satish, said, “This year it rained a lot. We are facing a lot of issues due to the rain in the state. Coffee beans are falling due to the heavy rain and winds. There is a huge loss of coffee. We don’t have money to pay the men who have been working here. I appeal to the government to help us out,” he said.

Coffee is traditionally grown in the Western Ghats, spread over Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Coffee is a perennial crop and the maintenance cost of this crop is high.