The Major Factors Influencing Productivity of Coffee : A Study of Kodagu District in Karnataka

The research work was conducted to determine the emerging factors impacting productivity of coffee in Kodagu district, Karnataka. To achieve this, a survey was conducted in Kodagu from March to July 2016, covering 120 coffee growers from six coffee liaison zones. The regression coefficients of mean annual rainfall (inches), rainfall during critical period (inches), age of coffee trees (years), and area under coffee (ha) were found to be significantly positive, while the elevation (meters), white stem borer (number of plants uprooted per ha), and number of shade trees per hectare were found to be significantly negative. The study suggests Arabica cultivation at a higher elevation, rejuvenation of old coffee trees, conservation of more shade trees, and alternative irrigation during critical period could enhance productivity in the long run, while the development of pest resistance varieties, combined and coordinated research could effectively control white stem borer in Indian Arabica.