Chhatisgarh's Naxal-hit Bastar could become the new hub of Coffee production

The naxal-hit Bastar region in Chhattisgarh is set to become a hub of coffee production as coffee cultivation has increased in the region. A 'Bastar Cafe' has also been established here to connect people with the taste and aroma of the coffee produced here.

Chhattisgarh's Bastar region is known for being a Naxalite-affected area, but in recent years, there has been a push to promote coffee cultivation in the region. The government is encouraging farmers to switch from traditional crops like rice and maize to coffee, which they believe could become a new source of income for the region.

The climate in Bastar is suitable for growing coffee, and the region's hilly terrain and red soil are similar to other coffee-growing regions in the country. The government has also set up a coffee nursery in Jagdalpur, the district headquarters of Bastar, to provide coffee saplings to farmers and help them start coffee cultivation.

Coffee cultivation in Bastar is still in its early stages, but the government hopes it will help boost the local economy and provide employment opportunities to farmers. They are also exploring the possibility of setting up a coffee processing plant in the region, which could help to add value to the coffee produced in Bastar and make it more marketable.

While there are certainly challenges to promoting coffee cultivation in a region like Bastar, where there are issues of poverty, conflict, and limited infrastructure, the government is hopeful that it can provide a new source of livelihood for local farmers and help to transform the region's economy.

According to horticulture scientist Dr K. P. Singh, in 2017-2018, four varieties of Coffee Arabica and one variety of Coffee Robusta were planted as an experiment on 20 acres.

"The first harvesting was done in 2020-21. When we sent the samples to the Coffee Board of India, our coffee got a rating of 6-6.4, which is a good rating. After that, it was cultivated on 100 acres in 2021-22. Farmers are reaping the benefits of coffee production in the region," said Singh.