Coffee Board wary of high pesticide residues

The Coffee Board has expressed concern over the high use of pesticides such has Lindane (gamma-BHC) and Chlorpyriphos to combat White Stem Borer (WSB).

Coffee-importing countries, such as Japan, have already begun scrutinising the coffee originating from India.

Addressing a session on the coffee outlook at the 114th annual meet of the United Planters' Association of Southern India (Upasi) in Coonoor today, Coffee Board Chairman G V Krishna Rau said coffee-importing countries had put in place stringent controls to check minimum residue level in respect of Lindane in coffee.

"Since 70 per cent of the Indian coffee is exported, we need to apply our mind as to what the market wants than what we offer to the market," he added.

The board has informed exporters that coffee has to be tested and analysed for the presence of Lindane from a certified laboratory in the country before sending the stock to Japan. "The Coffee Board will issue export permits only if the certificate of analysis showing negative results for the presence of Lindane is produced," he added.

Japan is the eleventh largest importer of Indian coffee varieties after Italy Russia and Germany. Exports to Japan as in mid-July 2007 was around 4,600 tonnes. Arabica forms the bulk of exports at around 3,000 tonnes, with Robusta varieties making up the rest.

"As Lindane is being used extensively by coffee growers to combat WSB, this development is a serious cause for worry. Even the alternative pesticide used to control WSB such as Chlorpyriphos is residual in nature. It is banned in many countries, " Rau said.

The Coffee Board, on its part, took measures to control the use of these chemicals on its estates for two years. It adopted good agricultural practices such as regular borer tracing, uprooting and burning of infested stems, maintaining optimum shade and bush management. They have produced desired results in checking the WSB.

In addition, the board has also tried the method of bark scrubbing followed by application of 10 per cent lime solution to the main stem. "We have given out the advisories through our extension officers. I appeal to the coffee growers to give up the use of Lindane," he added.

Rains may hit output

The vigorous south-west monsoon in July in the coffee-growing districts of Wayanad in Kerala and Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur in Karnataka is likely to affect the coffee output this year.

The Coffee Board expects a sizable drop when it takes up post-monsoon estimates in October.

Addressing a session on the coffee outlook at the 114th annual meet of the United Planters' Association of Southern India's (Upasi) in Coonoor today, Coffee Board Chairman G V Krishna Rau said, "Wayanad, Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur received unusually large quantity of rainfall (1,000 to 1,500 mm) in a short span of 10 days, accompanied by gusty winds.

It has caused considerable crop loss, destruction of hundreds of shade trees, loss of coffee plants and heavy defoliation. This is likely to impact the country's total coffee output for the crop year 2007-08," he added.

Of the 83,000 coffee growers in Wayanad, 53,000, mostly small and marginal coffee landholders, had been affected. They had sought relief from the district administration. Similarly, 17,000 growers in Kodagu had sought relief. Applications for relief from Hassan and Chikmagalur coffee growers were also being filed, he said.

But, Board bullish

Despite a considerable loss from rains and pests, the Coffee Board is confident of meeting the targeted 2.10 lakh tonnes exports for 2007-08.

Coffee Board Chairman G V Krishna Rau said, "There is enough coffee in the market and the export target will be met."

In the current financial year till date, exports are down 22 per cent as compared with those in the year-ago period. Export permits issued between April and mid-September amount to 97,000 tonnes compared with 125,000 tonnes recorded last year.