Cyclone Gaja hits hard Arabica coffee in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Like in Kodagu, the harvest has also started in Chikmagalur. another key region. But the recent rains in parts of Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur, triggered by the effects of cyclone Gaja, are causing concern for the growers.

“We had some rains a couple of days ago, that is seen hurting the quality of the arabicas. Rains at this stage will result in the splitting of the ripened beans and their dropping on to the ground,” said Shirish Vijayendra, a planter in Chikmagalur. Farmers will lose out on account of this due to the loss of quality. However, the recent rains are perceived to be beneficial for the robusta variety and also the pepper vines, he added.

In Tamil Nadu, the harvest has been in full swing in the Shevaroys, a major arabica growing region, while the crop has been impacted by the recent rains in the Palanis and the Anaimalais. “Though the crop is low, the quality seems to be good,” said Vijayan Rajes of MSP Plantations in Yercaud.

At current prices of ₹7,000-7,500 per 50 kg bag of arabicas (roughly ₹150 a kg), growers have been losing money. “We need at least ₹175-180 per kg to cover the cost of production,” Rajes, former UPASI chairman, said.

Cyclone Hits delta districts in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Gaja, after leaving a trail of destruction in the delta districts that had cyclone warnings, also ripped through the neighbouring Dindigul uprooting trees, snapping power lines and crushing not less than 31,000 acres of land under cultivation. More than 6,000 trees fell on roads, 4,285 electricity poles and 2,594 houses were damaged in the district that has never seen a cyclone for more than half a century.

 
The cyclone hit hard the vegetable cultivation uphill the tourism town of Kodaikanal, and banana and coffee plantations downhill. Extensive damage to crops was also noticed in the lower Kodaikanal and Lower Palani hills, Adalur, Pandrimalai, K C Patty, Kamanur, Sirumalai, Manalur and Pandikudi and in the areas in plains such as Oddanchatram, parts of Palani, Vadamadurai and Uthiramparai.