India’s coffee output may suffer a 20% loss in 2018/19 because of severe floods in parts of Karnataka and Kerala, a Coffee Board official said. Production is likely to drop by 20% in the new marketing year to 253,000 tonnes.
Heavy rains lashed during August 8-20 had triggered flash floods and landslides in multiple locations in Karnataka’s coffee growing districts of Kodagu and Hassan, as well as in Kerala.
As per the government’s assessment, coffee crop has been damaged in 226,000 hectares, and losses are estimated to have been to the tune of Rs 654 crore, or US$92.1 million.
A press release issued by the Board said that a preliminary assessment of crop loss in all the major zones during the third week of August was conducted, losses identified, and reports sent to both the State and Union governments.
According to the release, the highest loss is in Karnataka, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Coffee Board staff have been deployed in calamity-hit areas and are working with the revenue administration to assess damage and offer preliminary relief. Nearly 100 personnel are involved in crop loss surveys.
The press release also stated that according to the rules, all claims for relief have to be routed through the State Disaster Relief Commissioner, to reach Government of India.
