MANGALURU: Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament for Dakshina Kannada, has called on Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Piyush Goyal, to direct the Coffee Board of India to offer its support to local farmers in the region to take up coffee cultivation.
In a letter dated October 25, which was made public on Thursday, Chowta highlighted the struggles faced by arecanut farmers in the district due to declining yields. He pointed out that factors such as extreme weather, diseases, and pests have severely affected arecanut production.
Chowta noted that many farmers in Dakshina Kannada are now looking to diversify their crops by cultivating coffee, a crop well-suited to the local climate. However, he emphasized that the district lacks the necessary facilities and support from the Coffee Board and the Central Coffee Research Institute, which are available to farmers in nearby coffee-growing regions like Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu.
“The Coffee Board can play a vital role in promoting coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada through training, technical support, and market access initiatives,” Chowta wrote, urging the minister to extend the board’s resources to the district, which is geographically close to established coffee-growing areas.
Chowta also pointed out the disparity in support between Dakshina Kannada and neighboring coffee-growing districts. While areas like Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu benefit from board programs, Dakshina Kannada remains underserved despite its proximity.
“I urge you to take steps to ensure that the farmers of Dakshina Kannada receive the same support as those in neighboring regions,” he said in the letter.
In his statement, Chowta emphasized that farmers in the taluks of Sullia, Puttur, and Belthangady should be encouraged to explore coffee cultivation as a viable option.
The MP also announced that he would raise the matter during the upcoming winter session of Parliament and plans to meet with relevant officials, including the Coffee Board chairman and the Union Minister, to press for action.
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