Kochi: Coffee Board has asked for special compensation package for the coffee growers as it felt the amount paid through the calamity relief fund under the national disaster management plan will not be sufficient to recoup the losses suffered by them due to unprecedented rains.
As per its preliminary assessment, 82,000 tonnes of crop have been lost due to heavy rains in the traditional coffee tracts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu with Karnataka suffering the maximum loss. In addition, severe landslides in Kodagu in Karnataka have affected 1500 hectares of coffee area.
In a statement, the board said the demands of growersâs association for waiver of interest on coffee loans, re-scheduling of outstanding loans and reduction in the interest rate to 3% for loans up to Rs 25 lakh and 6% for more than 25 lakh are justified considering the difficult times faced by the growers.
To discuss issues that need to be taken up with the Centre and state government for ensuring relief to the growers, the board will be calling a meeting of all grower associations this month presided by chairman Boje Gowda.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
