India International Coffee Festival to be held from Jan 16

India Coffee Trust in association with Coffee Board today announced the seventh edition of India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in Bengaluru from January 16 to January 19.
Indian Coffee Trust president Anil Kumar Bhandari told a gathering here that IICF 2018 will continue to be the premier platform for the coffee and allied industries to express and explore new and game changing ideas and solutions.
Coffee Board of India secretary Srivatsa Krishna said India would host in 2020 the International Coffee Organisation's World Conference for the first time.
Referring to the challenges faced by growers in the coffee business, Krishna said the big brands sell the end product of coffee at Rs 5 US dollars per cup, whereas the grower gets only 5 cents.

"Many of you drink coffee abroad at Starbucks or atCaf Coffee Day. That coffee costs you four or five dollars (per cup). The farmer gets five cents out of that. This is notmy data. This was published in financial times, UK a monthback," Krishna said.
"All the efforts of coffee board is to see how we can help the growers move from five cents upwards. Even if we increase by two times or three times, it will be a significantachievement. Most of our endeavours are in that direction,"he added.

On the stem borer insect disrupting the production of Arabica variety of coffee, Krishna said, "At least 40% of the Arabica coffee has been affected because of stem borer insect. Elsewhere in the world, it (insect) is not affecting it (Arabica coffee)."

"The insect isnot damaging Robusta coffee plants. It is something we need toponder upon and try to find some remedy. We are in talks withsome bio-tech firms to find a solution," he said.
The Karnataka Minister for Tourism, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge said the IICF will help promote Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Sakleshpura not just as the coffee growing estates but also as tourist destinations in view of their great landscapes with unique culture and cuisines.