Trends in Area, Production, and Productivity of Coffee in Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Coffee is a significant commodity crop worldwide, and Karnataka, an Indian state with coffee-growing regions such as Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Hassan, is a major producer. Chikkamagaluru, also known as the Coffee Land of Karnataka, is the primary location for Arabica coffee production and cultivation of various other spice crops such as areca nut, pepper, cardamom, vanilla, lime, clove, and cinnamon. Despite the importance of coffee production, coffee growers encounter multiple challenges in cultivating and yielding high-quality coffee. Therefore, researchers have explored issues associated with coffee production and yield and suggested feasible solutions. To make informed decisions, it is essential to analyze the productivity and production of the coffee-growing region. This study used 25 years of coffee time series data obtained from the Coffee Board of India, Bengaluru, from 1995-1996 to 2019-2020, to investigate the coffee-growing region's problems. The data was analyzed using linear (linear, cubic) and nonlinear (exponential, logistic, and Gompertz) growth models. The results showed that the cubic model provided the best fit for the Chikkamagaluru district's coffee-growing region. Meanwhile, the linear and Gompertz models were the best fit for coffee output and productivity, respectively. The study revealed a decrease in Chikkamagaluru coffee productivity over the study period, despite an increase in the coffee-growing area.