Madikeri: Women from the district are planning to spread coffee flavour through an awareness campaign ahead of International Day of Coffee on October 1. Coffee grown abundantly in south India with maximum produce coming from Kodagu has little demand within the state.
During the coffee awareness union’s 14 Annual general body meeting held in Hanchikadu estate in Polllibetta , they decided to promote the importance of coffee as a useful beverage across the state and planned to organise various programs to promote coffee to mark the international day of coffee on October 1st.
In association with many tourist organizations awareness and promotion campaigns will be conducted at various tourist locations in Kodagu district mainly in tourist areas surrounding Madikeri, Nisargadhama near Kushalnagar and Tibetan settlement at Bylukuppe. During the campaign coffee will be supplied free of cost to all coffee lovers as well as tourists. People will be educated about different flavours available and its usage as a daily beverage.
Addressing the gathering the union secretary Appanervanda Anitha Nanda welcomed the move of the central government of making Planter President instead of a member from coffee board in the proposed coffee bill.
Continuing she said, though the bill contains few favourable points but confusion prevails in lot many areas. She felt the need to clear the areas of confusion before the bill is brought into force by involving all stake holders.
Further she said, coffee has few consumers within the state but worldwide demand persists. The union with 320 members plans to spread the use of coffee with in the state during the international day of coffee celebrations. She expressed happiness over the achievements of the union since inception 14 years ago.
Expressing a different opinion another member Ajjikuttira Kamala Poonchha said the new bill is detrimental to growers and feared officials taking advantage. She insisted on collective efforts to block the bill at the initial stages and sought people support failing which she felt that coffee industry will get wiped out in next 10-12 years.
Member Buttiyanda Kripa Somiah, Vice president Palekanda Anitha Aiyanna, Joint secretary Kayapanda Suma Thimmiah, treasurer Bhavana Praveen were present on the occasion.
