Explained|How India Plans to Double its Coffee Production by 2047
- Saritha Devaiah Ballachanda
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
India’s Coffee Board has laid out an expansive roadmap to dramatically scale up national coffee output over the next two decades. With the country aiming to reach the milestone of 100 years of independence in 2047, the board has set a long-term goal of producing more than 7 lakh tonnes of coffee, nearly double the current level. Here is a breakdown of what this ambitious upgrade involves, why it matters, and the challenges ahead.
What is the current status of India’s coffee sector?
India presently cultivates coffee on roughly 4.05 lakh hectares, producing around 3.5 lakh tonnes of Arabica and Robusta beans annually. The bulk of this production comes from Karnataka, which grows nearly 70% of the country’s coffee. Its districts Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan form the traditional heartland of Indian coffee. Kodagu alone accounts for more than one-third of the national output, making it the largest coffee-producing district in India.
What is the Coffee Board’s target for 2047?
Coffee Board Chairman M.J. Dinesh announced that the institution aims to push national production to 7 lakh tonnes by 2047. Alongside higher output, the Board intends to ensure that 15% of this volume comes from specialty-grade coffee, which commands higher prices in global markets.
According to Mr. Dinesh, this objective will be supported by a detailed multi-pronged action plan addressing expansion, research, technology, and sustainability.
How does the Board intend to expand cultivation?
A major pillar of the plan is geographical expansion. The Board intends to bring nearly 1 lakh hectares of new land under coffee cultivation in Odisha and several Northeastern States, including Nagaland. The push into these non-traditional growing areas is aimed at diversifying production and reducing pressure on existing coffee belts.
At the same time, the Board plans to raise productivity in Karnataka’s long-established plantations by promoting better agricultural practices and improved plant material.
What research and development measures are being proposed?
The Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), located in Balehonnur, is set to unveil three new coffee varieties during its centenary celebrations next month. Over the past hundred years, CCRI has developed 30 Arabica strains and three Robusta varieties, supported by a rich germ plasm bank containing more than 400 genetic lines.
Additionally, the Board is working with Jain Irrigation to advance large-scale clonal propagation of Robusta through tissue culture. These plantlets are expected to be available to growers by 2026–27, potentially boosting uniformity and yield stability.
What sustainability steps are being introduced?
A key component of the Board’s modernisation strategy is the creation of the Indian Coffee Board Sustainability Certification Scheme (INDICOFS). This initiative aims to give Indian coffee a distinct global identity aligned with international environmental and ethical standards.
To help growers navigate new regulatory requirements particularly the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) the Board has launched the IndiaCoffee App. The app assists planters and exporters in complying with mandatory traceability norms, a critical factor for accessing European markets.
What challenges does the sector face?
Despite the upbeat long-term vision, short-term hurdles remain. The Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA) has forecast a modest 3% rise in production for the 2025–26 crop year compared to last year’s 3.63 lakh tonnes. However, unseasonal and persistent rainfall has already reduced earlier output estimates by nearly 30,000 tonnes, hitting plantations across major coffee-growing regions.
These weather-related disruptions highlight the increasing vulnerability of Indian coffee to climate variability, a challenge that could affect the realisation of the 2047 targets.
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