Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas in India

Table of content

Home » Government Scheme » Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas, Eco-certification of Coffee

Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas in India

In a bid to enhance the quality and sustainability of coffee production, the Coffee Board, under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has introduced the “Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee” scheme. This initiative is part of the broader “Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders.”

Overview table of Development Support for Coffee

Aspect	Description
Scheme Name	Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee
Implementing Authority	Coffee Board, under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Objective	To incentivize coffee growers to produce eco-certified coffees for high-value specialty markets, ensuring quality, traceability, and environmental and social responsibility aspects are met.
Key Benefits	– Certification Support: 50% of certification cost, up to ₹50,000 per grower or grower group. – Additional Support for SC/ST Community: 10% extra, capped at ₹55,000 per grower.
Eligibility Criteria	– Individual Growers: Own up to 10 hectares of coffee holdings. – Small Grower Groups (SHGs, collectives): Obtain certification for sustainability and quality standards. – Subsidy Limit: Growers who have availed subsidy for one activity/component are ineligible during the MIDH period unless new beneficiaries are covered.
Supported Certification Programs	Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee standards, or equivalent programs. Organic certification must adhere to NPOP standards.
Application Process	– Offline Procedure: Submit applications and relevant documents to jurisdictional Coffee Board office within the same financial year. – Claiming Subsidy: Document scrutiny, field inspections, subsidy released directly to beneficiary’s bank account through NEFT.
Documents Required	– Application in prescribed format – Proof of identity and registration – Certification documents – Land ownership documents – Original invoice/bill for certification costs – Bank passbook details – Caste/community certificate for SC/ST category growers (if applying individually)
Conclusion	The scheme provides an opportunity for growers to improve market competitiveness, enhance quality, and contribute to environmental and social responsibility through eco-certified coffee production.

Objective of the Scheme

The primary aim of this scheme is to incentivize coffee growers to tap into high-value specialty markets by producing eco-certified coffees. By adhering to a set of stringent standards, growers can communicate the quality, traceability, and environmental and social responsibility aspects of their coffee production. This not only enhances the marketability of their products but also enables them to fetch higher returns.

Key Benefits Offered

Certification Support: Growers can avail 50% of the certification cost, up to a maximum of ₹50,000 per individual grower or grower group. For organic certification, the support is spread over a period of three years or the conversion period, whichever is less.
Additional Support for SC/ST Community: Coffee growers from the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community with holdings of up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an additional 10% of the certification cost, capped at ₹55,000 per grower during the MIDH period.

Know More About Other Central Govt Scheme 2024

Eligibility Criteria

Individual Growers: Those owning up to 10 hectares of coffee holdings and small grower groups (SHGs, collectives) who obtain certification for various sustainability and quality standards are eligible to apply.
Subsidy Limit: Growers who have already availed subsidy for one activity/component are not eligible to receive it again during the MIDH period, unless new beneficiaries are covered.

Supported Certification Programs

Support is available for certification under various recognized standards, including Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee standards, or any equivalent certification programs. Growers claiming support for organic certification must adhere to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.

Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas Application Process

Offline Procedure: Growers need to submit their applications, along with relevant documents such as certification certificates, to the jurisdictional Coffee Board office within the same financial year as the completion of the activity.
Claiming Subsidy: The process involves document scrutiny, field inspections, and forwarding of claims to the concerned authorities. Subsidy amounts are then released directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through NEFT.

Documents Required

To claim subsidy under this scheme, applicants must provide the following documents:

Application in the prescribed format
Proof of identity and registration
Certification documents issued by accredited agencies
Land ownership documents, including Patta/Khatha Extract, Land Possession Certificate, etc.
Original invoice/bill towards the certification costs
Bank passbook details

In case of SC/ST category growers applying individually, a caste/community certificate issued by the competent authority is also required.

Conclusion: Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas

The “Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee” scheme offers a significant opportunity for coffee growers to enhance their competitiveness in the market while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices. By obtaining certification under this scheme, growers can not only improve the quality of their produce but also contribute towards environmental conservation and social responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What is the primary objective of the “Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee” scheme?

Ans: The scheme aims to enhance the quality and sustainability of coffee production by incentivizing growers to tap into high-value specialty markets through eco-certified coffees. It encourages adherence to stringent standards to communicate quality, traceability, and environmental and social responsibility aspects, thereby increasing marketability and returns.

Q2) What are the key benefits offered under this scheme?

Ans: Certification Support: Growers can avail 50% of the certification cost, up to a maximum of ₹50,000 per individual grower or grower group. For organic certification, the support is spread over a period of three years or the conversion period, whichever is less.
Additional Support for SC/ST Community: Coffee growers from the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community with holdings of up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an additional 10% of the certification cost, capped at ₹55,000 per grower during the MIDH period.

Q3) Who is eligible to apply for support under this scheme?

Ans: Individual Growers: Those owning up to 10 hectares of coffee holdings and small grower groups (SHGs, collectives) who obtain certification for various sustainability and quality standards are eligible to apply.
Subsidy Limit: Growers who have already availed subsidy for one activity/component are not eligible to receive it again during the MIDH period, unless new beneficiaries are covered.

Q4) Which certification programs are supported under this scheme?

Ans: Support is available for certification under various recognized standards, including Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee standards, or any equivalent certification programs. Growers claiming support for organic certification must adhere to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.

Q5) What is the application process for availing development support for coffee in traditional areas?

Ans: Offline Procedure: Growers need to submit their applications, along with relevant documents such as certification certificates, to the jurisdictional Coffee Board office within the same financial year as the completion of the activity.
Claiming Subsidy: The process involves document scrutiny, field inspections, and forwarding of claims to the concerned authorities. Subsidy amounts are then released directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through NEFT.

Priti Palit

Priti Palit, an accomplished edtech writer, boasts a wealth of experience in preparing candidates for multiple government exams. With a passion for education and a keen eye for detail, she has contributed significantly to the field of online learning. Priti’s expertise and dedication continue to empower aspiring individuals in their pursuit of success in government examinations.

Oliveboard Live Courses & Mock Test Series