Featured Image: Screengrab of one of the videos circulating on social media, wherein claims are being made that each branch of a vietnamese coffee plant is capable of producing 1–2 kg of coffee beans.
The Coffee Board has issued an advisory cautioning coffee growers, planters and stakeholders against purchasing exotic coffee planting materials from private nurseries and individuals, warning that such unauthorized imports could pose a serious threat to India’s coffee industry.
In an advisory issued by Dr. M. Senthilkumar, Director of Research, Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), the Coffee Board stated that it has come to its notice that some private nurseries and individuals are marketing coffee planting materials from foreign countries, including varieties such as TS5, TR9 and TR11 from Vietnam, besides certain Brazilian coffee varieties. The Board noted that these materials are being promoted extensively through attractive advertisements on social media.
EXOTIC COFFEE VARIETIES COULD JEOPARDIZE THE HEALTH OF THE PLANTATIONS
The advisory emphasized that the credentials and performance of these exotic varieties are unknown to the Coffee Board. It warned that introducing planting material into India without obtaining the prescribed import permits and complying with quarantine regulations could facilitate the entry of dangerous pests, diseases and noxious weeds that are currently absent in the country.
The Board pointed out that the Government of India has laid down mandatory protocols governing the import and introduction of all planting materials. These procedures are intended to ensure quarantine compliance and safeguard the plantation ecosystem from invasive pests, diseases and weeds.
UNAUTHORIZED IMPORTS & DETRIMENTAL
The Coffee Board further clarified that it has not authorized or accredited any private nurseries or gardens to import exotic coffee varieties from coffee-growing countries. Consequently, the purchase and cultivation of such unauthorized planting materials could prove detrimental to the entire coffee sector. It also noted that the performance of these imported varieties under Indian agro-climatic conditions has not been scientifically verified by the Coffee Board.
The Coffee Board has urged all coffee growers’ associations, planters and stakeholders to exercise caution while dealing with promotional claims relating to exotic coffee planting material. Farmers have been advised to verify the authenticity of such claims with scientists of the Coffee Board before making any purchase decisions.
This is a very serious issue that needs to be brought to attention and discussed at the upcoming Coffee Planters’ Meet on August 19.
