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Chapter 2: My First Work in the Field

                                                Climate-Smart Coffee Series                            Chapter 2: My First Work in the Field When I officially joined the Climate-Smart Coffee Project, it didn’t start in an office or a meeting room. It started on the road — moving from village to village, walking through coffee farms, and learning from farmers directly. Our first major task was collaborating with the international IDH survey, conducted with Sattva Consultancy, Bangalore. On 16th November, we had an orientation session at the Deepthigiri Dairy Milk Society, led by the project coordinator of Sattva Pragathi along with team members Aabita and Debraj.  Their guidance made the first day smooth and insightful.   Along wi th us were the MSW students — Benhar, Unais, Gauri Nandana, M...
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The Coffee Board of India

                                                  Chapter 9
                Brewing the Backbone – The Coffee Board of India
                              The System Behind the Sip



    Beyond Beans and Brews


Every cup of Indian coffee tells a story—not just of beans and brews, but of systems, people, and policies. Behind the lush plantations, fragrant roasting rooms, and roadside filter kaapi stalls stands a silent institution: the Coffee Board of India.


Born in a time of crisis, evolved through dec
ades of reform, and still standing strong today, the Coffee Board has become the heartbeat of India’s coffee sector—guiding it from the plantation to the port, from tribal farms to international cafés.


History: When Coffee Needed a Saviour



In the 1930s, India’s coffee farmers faced ruin—coffee prices were crashing, pests were spreading, and the global depression loomed heavy. To rescue the sector, the Coffee Cess Act of 1935 was passed, followed by the Coffee Market Expansion Act of 1942, which gave rise to formal market controls and centralized management.


In 1955, the Government restructured the system and established the Coffee Board of India as a statutory body—with a full-time Chairman and a clear mission: to uplift farmers, enhance quality, and promote Indian coffee worldwide.


 Where is it based?


The Coffee Board is headquartered in the heart of Bengaluru, Karnataka—India’s leading coffee-growing state. Surrounded by research labs, exporter offices, cupping rooms, and history, the Board’s main building is more than just an office—it’s the nerve center of Indian coffee.





 Structure: Who Makes the Decisions?


The Board has 33 members, including:


Chairperson (appointed by the Government of India)


Representatives from:


Growers (small and large)


Curers and exporters


Labor unions and consumers


MPs and state government officials from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh




The Board works through six key committees:


1. Executive Committee



2. Marketing Committee



3. Propaganda/Promotion Committee



4. Research Committee



5. Development Committee



6. Coffee Quality Committee




In addition, regional committees in major coffee-producing states help with localized development and stipend disbursement.




🛠️ Departments and What They Do


🌱 1. Technical & Extension Services




Transfers modern farming technology to the field


Organizes training for growers and workers


Implements crop insurance and welfare schemes


Estimates crop losses during disasters like floods or drought



📢 2. Promotion Department


At the international level:


Registers coffee exporters and issues permits


Certifies origin of Indian coffee for global trade


Offers export incentives to promote value-added and premium retail coffee packs


Promotes Indian coffee in global trade shows (USA, Europe, Japan, Russia)



Within India:


Manages India Coffee Houses in major cities


Participates in domestic trade fairs


Organizes awareness programs on the health benefits of coffee


Trains new entrepreneurs in roasting, grinding, and packaging



 One of its most celebrated programs is the “Flavour of India – The Fine Cup” competition, where India’s best coffees are judged and promoted to the global market.


📊 3. Market Research and Intelligence Unit


Tracks market prices, export volumes, and consumer trends


Publishes daily updates and monthly reports


Assists farmers, exporters, and policymakers with reliable data



💸 4. Accounts and Finance Department


Manages and distributes funds across programs


Audits financial activities for transparency


Supports various schemes through proper budget allocation



🌍 Why the Coffee Board Still Matters

In a world where farming is becoming tougher and markets more complex, the Coffee Board of India remains a pillar of support for lakhs of Indian growers. From improving farmer livelihoods to presenting Indian beans to global buyers, from traditional Robusta blocks to emerging organic micro-lots, the Board acts as both guide and guardian.


It connects smallholder tribal farms with export markets, supports young entrepreneurs to build roasting units, and helps maintain India’s reputation for quality, traceability, and sustainable coffee.


The Coffee Board isn’t just a bureaucratic body. It’s the soul behind India’s coffee movement—quietly working behind every aroma-filled cup.

Thanks for reading 
krishna chandana- Coffee Duo ☕




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