Coffee industry facing sustainability issues: ICO

The coffee industry is facing a lot of sustainability issues and requires concerted efforts by stakeholders to overcome those, according to International Coffee Organisation.
"We are faced with many challenges in our industry such as low prices for producers, climate change, low productivity, the fight against pest and diseases. ...We can label all these issues under the issue of sustainability - it requires urgent and effective attention from our part," Executive Director of ICO Roberio Oliveira Silva said here today.
Speaking at the inauguration of India International Coffee Festival 2014, he said, "However, it is in a scale which no single entity be it public or private can tackle on its own. Concerted work from diverse stakeholders, corporates along the coffee supply chain is needed."

"I include in this supply chain everyone whose work is directly or indirectly linked. ...From researchers to agronomists, traders to barista, from producers to policy makers," he added.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih along with different stakeholders of coffee supply chain was present at the event.
Stating that India has important role to play in the development of the coffee market, Silva said, "It is already the sixth largest producer - it is the one whose excellent qualities are highly in demand in Europe, Asia and North America."

"It has experienced a vibrant growth in the processing and exporting of soluble coffee...," he added.

Speaking at the event J S Deepak, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said, "The increase in the proportion of exports of value added coffee in recent years is a very encouraging trend."
The Centre is committed to promoting exports of value added coffee to diverse markets around the globe, he added.
Assuring that the government is committed to meet the challenges of increasing productivity and better realisations for coffee industry, he said, "To this end the government of India has increased the support to the coffee sector by 60 per cent in the 12th Plan to an unprecedented Rs 950 crore."

Besides, Rs 140 crore has been provided for research and development in the sector, he said adding the coffee board has been asked to find a solution in the next five years for the white stem borer problem that affects Arabica coffee.