Erratic rain affects Arabica coffee, pepper crops in Kodagu

Madikeri: Erratic rain has affected the Arabica coffee and pepper crops this year in Kodagu. However, the Robusta variety of coffee has not been affected.
Bose Mandanna, an experienced coffee grower and former vice-chairman of the Coffee Board in Sunticoppa, said that in different locations in the district, the quantity and timing of rain varied. Nakooru village near Sunticoppa received 40 inches of rain, which is less than the average of 50 inches, whereas Sunticoppa received 70 inches of rain, which is more than the average of 60 inches.The crops in Sunticoppa zone were in a better condition than the crops in Nakuru village. The Arabica coffee growing locations in the district were affected by the hot climate towards the end of June, and in July, though it rained in August. “Though we received rain before June the gap in rain, between the end of June and July, and erratic rain in different places, has created problems for growers. The rain in August is not beneficial, because it causes the coffee yield to drop. However, the robusta coffee crops are doing well this year,” Mandanna said.
The average rain this year so far in Kodagu is 84 inches, which is 4 inches more than last year’s record. However, the rain varied in different places, between 40 inches to 200 inches.