RESEARCH

During 1940’s, the coffee industry in India was in a desperate state due to the II World war resulting in very low prices and ravages of pests and diseases. At this time, the Government of India established the ‘Coffee Board’ through a constitutional act “Coffee Act VII of 1942” under the administrative control of Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board was entrusted with the responsibilities of extending support to the coffee industry in the areas of marketing, finance, research and development. Accordingly, the Coffee Board took over the reigns of the ‘Mysore Coffee Experiment Station’ in the year 1946 and rechristened it as Central Coffee Research Institute. This Institute was made as the Head Quarters of the Research Department of the Coffee Board with a larger mandate of undertaking extensive research on coffee covering different disciplines and dissemination of technology to the growers from time to time.

The Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) is a premier organization in the frontier areas of modern coffee research which celebrated her Platinum Jubilee of existence in the year 2000. CCRI is recognized as an institute engaged in scientific research by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Central Coffee Research Institute is engaged in intensive and advanced coffee research in the disciplines of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Coffee Agronomy, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Post Harvest technology, Coffee Biotechnology and Coffee Quality.

Apart from the research divisions located at its main campus, an exclusive Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology division established in Mysore is involved in conducting bio-technology and molecular biology studies to supplement/ complement the conventional breeding programs in developing high yielding, pest and disease resistant varieties. The Quality Control Division stationed at Coffee Board’s Head Office in Bangalore has been actively collaborating with other research disciplines in upgrading the quality of coffee in the cup.

Around 130 scientific personnel assisted by technical staff are involved in carrying out research. The centre is continuing its mission of pursuing a high quality basic and applied research in chosen areas of plant breeding, molecular biology, soil science, plant biochemistry, pest and disease related research, post harvest technology, water pollution and other application oriented work for field application. CCRI has well equipped modern laboratory facilities and a central library with vast collections of books and periodicals on coffee in addition to other plantation and agricultural crops.

Besides, there is a well established training section for coffee growers, bankers, horticulturists, estate managers, supervisory personnel and extension officers of the Coffee Board. The training section is recognized by UNDP and FAO to impart training on coffee culture to foreign nationals too. So far, personnel from Ethiopia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Vietnam and M/s.Nestle International, Singapore have been trained besides Indian growers and others in the coffee chain.

In order to test the research findings emanating from the main institute at different agro-climatic zones and also to evolve location specific technologies, regional research stations were established in important coffee growing regions in a phased manner. Together the network of coffee research in India represents major coffee growing regions and their diverse agro-climatic conditions. The Regional Research Stations have been functioning at :
(1) Chettalli, Kodagu district, Karnataka
(2) Chundale, Wayanad district, Kerala
(3) Thandigudi, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu
(4) Raghavendra Nagar, Vizag district, Andhra Pradesh and
(5) Diphu, Karbi Anglang district, Assam.

This station established during 1946 at Chettalli village in Kodagu district of Karnataka is located in one of the major coffee growing regions of the country. The station has a total area of 131 hectares of which 80 hectares is planted to coffee for conducting research experiments. It has a scientific and technical staff strength of twenty and well equipped laboratory facility to pursue research in all the major disciplines.

Kerala is the second largest coffee producing state in the country with predominantly robusta cultivation in small holdings. In order to develop appropriate technologies for robusta suitable for this region, a regional research station was established during 1977-78 in an area of 166 hectares near Chundale village in Wayanad district of Kerala. The station has 30 hectares of coffee research farm, 15 scientific and technical staff and adequate laboratory facilities to pursue research in various disciplines.

The coffee areas in Tamil Nadu come under the North-East monsoon influence with low rainfall and hence require separate set of package for cultivation. Realising the importance of the region as a substantial contributor of arabica coffee, a regional station was established in an area of 12.5 hectares near Thandigudi village in Pulney hills of Tamil Nadu. The station has a research farm of 6.5 hectares, 10 scientific and technical personnel and good laboratory facilities for pursuing research activities.

The tribal areas in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha constitute the major non-traditional areas for coffee cultivation. Coffee was introduced in these areas mainly to develop green forest cover in the barren hills affected by the destructive ‘Podu’ cultivation of the native tribes and to help in their socio-economic development. A regional station was established during 1976 near Chintapalli village in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh with the main mandate of developing appropriate production technology for coffee in these areas. The station has 10 scientific and technical personnel and adequate laboratory infrastructure with about 60 hectares of coffee farm for research purposes.

Coffee was introduced in the forest hills of North-East region of the country during 1950s mainly to protect the fragile ecosystem of the region by weaning away the native tribals from the age old practice of shifting (Jhum) cultivation and to provide them with gainful employment. A regional station was established during 1985 near Diphu in Assam state in an area of 25 hectares to develop suitable production technology for coffee in the region.

Division of Tissue Culture & Biotechnology, Manasagangothri, Mysore

• Development of micro propagation techniques for coffee
• Developing and application of DNA markers for genetic improvement of coffee
• Assessment of genetic diversity by DNA fingerprinting
• Development of pest and disease resistant material using genetic modification techniques

Crop Management - Improvement of productivity through enhanced soil health, crop husbandry and mechanization.
1. Maximization of crop productivity through development of efficient agronomic practices
2. Improvement of productivity through enhanced soil health and crop husbandry
3. Mechanization of farm operations for improvement of labour productivity
4. Implementation of cropping systems for better returns/livelihoods
5. Evaluation of proprietary product on coffee

Research activities on following agronomic practices/technologies are carried out for better productivity of coffee.
• Nursery & Field Planting techniques
• Soil and water conservation, irrigation management (Sprinkler & drip)
• Plant training & Pruning
• Weed management
• Crop diversification
• Mechanization of farm operations

• Evolving integrated nutritional management standards for coffee
• Evaluation of soil fertility and management packages
• Residue and heavy metal analysis
• Nutrient cycling and budgeting for sustainable coffee production
• Studies on the degradation of pesticides and fungicides in soils
• Soil fertility map for major and minor nutrients in coffee zones
• Studies on phosphorus solubilizers, potash and sulphur sources for coffee and their effect on yield and quality of coffee
• Advisory service on soil, plant tissue analysis, water and agrochemical and fertilizer management

•Studies on biotic and abiotic stresses
• Evolving suitable Drought Ameliorative measures
• Screening of cultivars for physiological efficiency and drought tolerance
• Development and testing of inhouse formulations for enhancement of crop production in arabica and robusta coffee
• Studies on climate change and its effect on coffee production
• Carbon flux studies in coffee plantations

• Monitor the diseases under changed climatic conditions.
• Mapping of leaf rust race flora in coffee growing regions.
• Evaluation of new coffee hybrids to identify leaf rust tolerant varieties.
• Re-validation of IDM strategies for coffee diseases under changing climatic scenario.
• Development of microbial consortium for the management of major coffee diseases.

• Development of IPM strategies and techniques for coffee pests
• Studies on the natural enemies and exotic parasitoids of coffee pests
• Studies on botanical pesticides for control of coffee pests
• Studies on Pheromone and Kairomone systems in coffee white stem borer
• Studies and evaluation of Entomopathogenic nematodes against coffee pests.

The Post-Harvest Technology (PHT) Division primarily works on-farm coffee processing and quality improvement. The following are current focus areas of the PHT Division:
• Evaluation of coffee processing machineries (pulper, washer and dryer)
• Enhancement of coffee quality through improved post-harvest practices
• Management of coffee effluent through various treatment methods.
• Value addition of coffee processing wastes and its application in various sectors.

List of Services offered by the Coffee Quality Division - Quality Evaluation Laboratory
• Cup Quality evaluation and related research to improve coffee quality
• Standardization of analytical methods for the estimation of residues and other contaminants in coffee
• Setting up/ revision of standards on coffee quality parameters
• Conducting Coffee Shastra training programme on roasting, brewing, packaging, retailing and coffee quality assessment.
• Conducting one year PG Diploma in Coffee Quality Management
• Conducting Flavour of India –The Fine Cup Award competition to select finest quality coffee

Quality of food products has gained great significance in the liberalized trade environment under the WTO regime. In this era, quality has two distinct meanings viz., quality in terms of food value or taste and quality in terms of safety to human health. The Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) Agreement under the WTO primarily addresses the quality issues concerning health aspects such as macro cleanliness, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metal contamination etc. The trade especially in the export oriented commodities like coffee will to be subjected to these conditions in the coming years. Realizing the importance of SPS measures in coffee trade, Analytical Laboratory was established by Coffee Board in 2001 under an international project titled

Facilities Available at the Analytical Laboratory

The analytical laboratory is equipped with instruments like HPLC (Shimadzu & Waters makes for estimation of Ochratoxin-A & Caffeine content), Gas Chromatography (Aglient Technologies) for Pesticide Residues Analysis, Millipore Water Purification Unit, Imported Spectrophotometer, Imported Ovens, Imported Incubator, Imported Rotary Evaporators, Imported Sample Mills, Imported De-freezer, Imported Sample Blender, Imported Centrifuge, Imported Shakers, Imported Moisture Meter (SINAR Technology, England) and other instruments like Autoclave, pH meter and Sonicator.

Analytical Services Offered to Coffee Industry

The Analytical Laboratory is offering the following analytical services to the planters, exporters and traders and research organizations on charging system. The payment may be made in the form of crossed Demand Draft/Local Cheque drawn in favour of “COFFEE BOARD GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO: 54044620308” and the same may be sent to the following address:

Head, Division Quality Control
Analytical Laboratory, COFFEE BOARD,
NO.1 Dr. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE – 560 001.
Ph. No. 080-222 666 88. Fax No. +91-80-222 55557
E-mail: analabshancb[at]gmail[dot]com (or) hdqccoffeeboard[at]gmail[dot]com

Analytical Laboratory

India is one among the few growing countries cultivating coffee under mixed canopy of shade preserving the natural fauna and flora to a great extent. Nearly, 250 different types of shade trees mostly belonging to leguminous and other evergreen species are found in coffee plantations in India. Besides, cultivation of intercrops like pepper, orange and other companion crops like arecanut, cardamom, vanilla etc. is a common practice in coffee plantations. These diverse conditions pose a special challenge to the scientists to develop appropriate technologies for field adoption.

• Released 16 (13 Arabica & 3 Robusta) high yielding, disease tolerant and widely adaptable strains for commercial cultivation.

• Chandragiri Arabica variety released during 2007 has been found to exhibit tolerance to all the known races of coffee leaf rust pathogen besides having high yield and high percentage of (more than 80%) of A grade beans.

• Standardized micro propagation technology for coffee

• Standardized the agro-techniques for nursery management, soil & water conservation, plant training & pruning, irrigation management (sprinkler/drip), weed management etc. for achieving high productivity

• Package of practices for production of organic coffee

• Recommendations on coffee based cropping systems for promoting sustainable production systems

• Developed Integrated nutrient management package and soil and leaf analysis based advisory service on fertilizer application

• Evolved drought tolerance indices and strategies for inducing drought tolerance

• Development of Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPDM) packages for management of major pests and disease of coffee

• Popularization of eco-friendly pest management package through use of natural enemies/pheromones/Kairomones

• Standardization of wet method & dry method of processing of coffee at estate level along with eco-friendly management of coffee processing effluent

Development of sound technologies requires multi disciplinary, inter institutional co-operation between the research institutes/ organizations. The Central Coffee Research Institute is actively pursuing collaboration with various institutions both at National and International level.

• Natural Resources Institute, Greenwich University, United Kingdom
• CIRAD, Montpellier, France
• IRD, Montpellier, France
• CABI, Biosciences, U.K
• University of Trieste, Italy
• CIFC, Portugal
• Coffee Research Foundation, Kenya
• Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Rome
•International Coffee Organization (ICO) & Common Fund for Commodities(CFC)
• International Coffee Genome Network, France

• Department Of Bio-Technology (DBT), New Delhi)
• Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore
• Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad
• ICAR Institutions and Agricultural Universities
• Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai

CCRI has been recognized as a centre for carrying out advanced research and research leading to Ph.D degrees of the following Universities.

• University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
• University of Mysore, Mysore
• Kuvempu University, Shankargatta, Shimoga
• Mangalore University, Mangalore
• Calicut University, Calicut

1. Collaborative research programme on “Pathology and improvement of coffee for the main diseases” (1990-1994) – involving CIFC, Portugal; CCRI, India; Coffee Research Station, Malawi and School of Biological Sciences, Norwich, United Kingdom.
2. “Development of sex Pheromone system for the control of Coffee White Stem Borer – (1996 -1998) implemented by Natural Resource Institute, University of Greenwich, U.K and CCRI, India
3. Indo-French collaborative project on the development of Bt genes for coffee 1995- 1998
4. Multi country ICO-CFC project on “Integrated Management of Coffee Berry Borer” 5. 1998-2001 implemented by CABI-Bioscience, London in seven coffee producing countries viz., India, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Jamaica
6. ICO/CFC/FAO Multi Country Global project on “Enhancement of Coffee quality through prevention of Mould formation - 2000-2005” implemented by FAO, Rome in six coffee producing countries viz., India, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia; Ivory Coast, Uganda.
7.ICO-CFC Project on Diversification in Coffee Producing Countries-2006-07 implemented by Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK in seven producing countries viz., India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala.
8. Multi country ICO-CFC project on “Integrated stem borer management in smallholder coffee farms in India, Malawi and Zimbabwe- 2002-2007” implemented by CABI Bioscience, London
9. “Coffee Agro-forestry Network (CAFNET) – connecting, enhancing and sustaining environmental services and market values of coffee agro-forestry in Central America, East Africa and India-2004-07” implemented by CIRAD, France and funded by the European Union.
10.“ICO-CFC Multi country collaborative project on Coffee Leaf Rust – 2008-12” being implemented by CABI Africa in four countries viz., India, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

1. Multi-institutional Network programme on “Biotechnological Approaches for Coffee Improvement” 1999- 2004 sponsored by DBT, New Delhi involving CCRI; CCMB, Hyderabad; CFTRI, Mysore; MKU, Madurai; UAS, Bangalore and IISc, Bangalore
2. Multi-institutional Network programme on “Indian Coffee Genome Research programme - 2007-2010 - sponsored by DBT, New Delhi involving CCRI; CCMB, Hyderabad; CFTRI, Mysore; MKU, Madurai and UAS, Bangalore.
3. “Production and promotion of Neem Based pesticides as environment friendly, Biodegradable alternative to Chemical pesticides” 2007-2009 funded by Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
4. Development of Arabica plants resistant to White Stem Borer - A DBT sponsored multi institutional bio-technology project -2010-2013.

Updated Notification on the charging system for the Technical Services rendered by the Research Dept.of the Coffee Board to the Coffee Industry
The CCRI and all it’s Regional Stations are involved offering the following services support for the benefit of planting community.
• Training of estate personnel at managerial and supervisory cadres on improved coffee cultivation.
• Production and supply of planting material (seeds/clones/grafts) of improved varieties.
• Analytical and advisory services on soil amendments, nutrient management and quality testing of inputs used in nutrition and plant protection.
• Multiplication and supply of bio control agents against pests and diseases.
• Field visits and advisory to solve field problems.
• Estate adoption on charging system for improving the productivity of plantations.

• Coffee Guide –a reference hand book for coffee growers
• Journal of Coffee Research – an exclusive scientific journal for coffee
• Annual Technical Reports – on progress of research
• Technical Bulletins – on specific topics
• Extension Folders/ Leaflets – on all aspects of coffee cultivation for circulation among the growers
• Occasional publications like Compendia, Bibliography etc.