Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region

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Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region

The Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region, titled “Quality Upgradation / Certification: Support for Eco-Certification / Organic Certification,” stands as a pivotal Sub-Component within the broader Scheme known as “Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders.” Spearheaded by the Coffee Board under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this initiative aims to revolutionize the coffee cultivation landscape in the region.

Overview table of Coffee Development Programme

Aspect	Details
Program Name	Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region
Sub-Component Name	Quality Upgradation / Certification: Support for Eco-Certification / Organic Certification
Implementing Authority	Coffee Board under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Objective	– Enhance coffee quality and facilitate access to specialty markets – Encourage eco-certification through collaboration among growers
Subsidy Offered	– Organic Certification: 75% of certification cost over 3 years or Conversion period – Other Eco-Certifications: 75% of certification cost for one year
Eligibility Criteria	– Target Applicants: Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or tribal grower collectives – Certification Standards: Various international and national standards (e.g., Organic, Fair Trade)
Certification Agencies	Certificates must be obtained from accredited agencies during the Medium Term Framework (MTF) period
Application Process	– Submission of necessary documents to Coffee Board offices – Scrutiny, verification, and approval process for subsidy disbursement
Required Documents	– Application in prescribed format – Certificate of incorporation/registration – Complete list/details of organization members – Certificate from Accredited Agency – Original invoice – Bank Pass Book copy
Overall Impact	Aims to uplift coffee cultivation by providing financial support and promoting sustainable practices, contributing to the region’s economic growth and global coffee industry excellence

Empowering Growers for Quality Enhancement

The primary objective of this scheme is to incentivize coffee growers to enhance the quality of their produce, thereby ensuring higher returns. Additionally, it seeks to facilitate access to lucrative high-value specialty markets by fostering the production of eco-certified coffees. Moreover, the scheme endeavors to foster collaboration among small growers, encouraging them to form groups or collectives to pursue eco-certification. This collective effort is envisioned to pave the way for the establishment of common facilities in the future.

Benefits Offered

Scale of Subsidy:

For Organic Certification: 75% of the certification cost spread over 3 years or the Conversion period, whichever is less during the MTF period.

For Other Eco-Certifications: 75% of the certification cost for one year during the MTF period.

Note: This subsidy is provided as backend support for those obtaining certification for their estates. However, in the case of organic certification, costs incurred during the in-conversion period are also eligible for support.

Know More About Other Central Govt Scheme 2024

Eligibility Criteria

Target Applicants:

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or collectives of tribal growers obtaining certification for their plantations based on sustainability and quality standards.

Certification Standards:

Applicants can seek support for certification of estates under Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly/Shade grown coffee standards, or any equivalent certification programs.

Applicants should adhere to National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards, even if certified under international standards such as EU Regulation, NOP (National Organic Programme of USA), JAS (Japanese Agriculture Standards), etc.

Certification Agencies:

Certificates should only be obtained from Certification Agencies accredited by respective Certification Programmes during the MTF period.

Application Process of Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region

Offline Procedure for Claiming Subsidy:

Step 1: Certification Completion and Documentation:

SHGs/growers’ groups must submit necessary documents to the concerned office of the JLO/SLO of the Coffee Board after obtaining certification.

Step 2: Submission to Coffee Board Office:

The JLO/SLO will scrutinize documents and conduct field inspections for verification.

Step 3: Review and Verification:

The JLO/SLO will forward the claim along with relevant records to the concerned Deputy Director (Extn)/Joint Director (Extn).

Step 4: Approval and Subsidy Disbursement:

Upon scrutiny and confirmation, the Deputy Director (Extn.)/Joint Director (Extn) will release the subsidy amount to the beneficiary.

Required Documents

Application in prescribed format (in duplicate).
Certificate of incorporation/registration, memorandum of article of association/society as Grower Collective/SHG/ Cooperative.
Complete list/details of organization members.
Copy of certificate issued by Accredited Certification Agency.
Original invoice towards certification cost.
Copy of Bank Pass Book containing account details.

In essence, the Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region emerges as a beacon of hope for coffee growers, offering not only financial support but also a pathway towards sustainable and quality-focused coffee cultivation practices. Through collaborative efforts and adherence to stringent standards, this initiative endeavors to propel the region’s coffee industry to greater heights, ensuring prosperity for growers and enriching the coffee experience for consumers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What is the Coffee Development Programme in the North Eastern Region about?

Ans: The Coffee Development Programme in the North Eastern Region is a scheme under the broader initiative called “Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders.” It aims to enhance the quality of coffee cultivation in the region, particularly through eco-certification and organic certification.

Q2) What are the primary objectives of the programme?

Ans: The primary objectives of the programme are to incentivize coffee growers to improve the quality of their produce, gain access to high-value specialty markets through eco-certification, and encourage collaboration among small growers to pursue certification collectively.

Q3) What benefits are offered under the programme?

Ans: The programme provides subsidies for certification costs. For organic certification, 75% of the certification cost spread over 3 years or the conversion period, whichever is less, is provided during the MTF period. For other eco-certifications, 75% of the certification cost for one year during the MTF period is covered.

Q4) Who is eligible to apply for the programme?

Ans: Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or collectives of tribal growers seeking certification for their plantations based on sustainability and quality standards are eligible to apply. Certification standards include Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly/Shade grown coffee standards, or equivalent programs.

Q5) What is the application process for claiming subsidies under the programme?

Ans: The application process involves steps such as completing certification and documentation, submitting documents to the Coffee Board office, review and verification by relevant authorities, and approval and subsidy disbursement upon confirmation. Required documents include application forms, incorporation/registration certificates, member details, certification copies, invoices, and bank passbook copies.

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