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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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