Odisha Govt to Implement ‘Coffee Plantation for Sustainable Livelihoods’ Scheme in 6 Dists

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has decided to implement the ‘Coffee Plantation for Sustainable Livelihoods (CPSL)” scheme in the districts of the State.

The districts are Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Gajapati.

A proposal of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department in this regard has been approved at the Sate Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Coffee has emerged as one of the most profitable commercial crops among the farmers of the state due to its encouraging prospects on financial benefits and rebuilding of ecosystem. Odisha has a high potential for commercial coffee cultivation due to its ideal agro-climatic conditions that can provide a viable alternative to traditional cropping patterns of tribal areas.

The existing State Coffee area of 10,000 acres is programmed to be expanded by 10 times in a period of 10 years. Women SHGs will be involved in raising coffee nurseries and more than 50,000 farm families will be benefited from the Scheme.

The State Cabinet envisages an expenditure of Rs. 1144.00 Cr from 2022-23 to 2026-27, out of which Rs. 567.00 Cr will be met through State Plan and Rs. 577.00 Cr will be met through convergence with other Schemes. Beyond the initial period of five years, value addition and marketing aspects will also be included in the scheme. This Scheme will be implemented by the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development under Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department.

During implementation period, the Directorate will also collaborate with quality resource organizations like Coffee Board and others for productivity enhancements, capacity building, infrastructure and brand development, according to an official release.