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Coffee Board’s Sustainability Framework

27 Sep 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Hindu

Context: The Coffee Board of India has developed sustainability standards and is preparing a three-level certification system for Indian coffee.

  • India’s coffee position: 7th-largest coffee producer and 5th-largest exporter globally.
  • 2025–26 exports: Coffee exports exceeded $2 billion; nearly 39% were value-added products.
  • Key advantage: Indian coffee is traditionally shade-grown, supporting biodiversity and sustainable cultivation.
  • Certification – 3 levels:
    1. Coffee Board: Certification based on grower self-certification.
    2. Independent third party: Verification of sustainability compliance.
    3. International benchmarking: Indian standards aligned/compared with internationally recognised sustainability frameworks.
  • Institution: Coffee Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and is the statutory body for development of India’s coffee sector.
  • Major coffee-growing regions: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for the bulk of India’s coffee production.
  • Two major species: Arabica and Robusta; India produces both.

Prelims Question

Q1. With reference to coffee cultivation and the institutional framework governing the coffee sector in India, consider the following statements:

  1. India produces both Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee.
  2. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu together account for the bulk of India’s coffee production.
  3. India’s coffee cultivation is predominantly conducted in open, direct-sunlight conditions rather than under shade.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only

Answer: (a) 

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 — Correct: India produces both major commercially important coffee species—Arabica and Robusta.
  • Statement 2 — Correct: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the principal coffee-producing States.
  • Statement 3 — Incorrect: Indian coffee is traditionally associated with shade-grown cultivation, which can support biodiversity and agroforestry characteristics.

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