World Coffee Conference (WCC 2023)

Bengaluru is all set to host the fifth edition of the World Coffee Conference (WCC 2023) between September 25 and 28.

About World Coffee Conference

It is the first time India is hosting the conference.

The earlier editions of WCC were held in London (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010), and Ethiopia (2016).

The event, is to be jointly organised by the Coffee Board, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and International Coffee Organisation.

Mascot of the conference: Coffee Swami

Theme: Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture.

Key Facts About International Coffee Organisation

It is a body set up in 1963 under the auspices of the United Nations to boost the economic importance of coffee globally.

It is the only inter-governmental organisation for coffee and represents 93% of world coffee production and 63% of world consumption.

India is a member of this organisation.

Key facts about Coffee cultivation

The vast majority of the world’s coffee comprises two species — Coffea

Arabica(Arabica) and Coffea Canephora (Robusta).

Climatic Conditions Required For Coffee Production

Climate: Hot and humid climate for its growth.

Temperature: Ranging between 15°C and 28 °C

Rainfall:150 to 250 cm.

Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil containing a good deal of humus and minerals like iron and calcium are ideal for coffee cultivation.

It is generally grown under shady trees.

Dry weather is necessary at the time of ripening of the berries.

It is grown on hill slopes at elevations from 600 to 1,600 metres above sea level.

Coffee growing states in India: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, among which, Karnataka produces the most with over 70% of the total output.

History and Commercialization

Coffee was introduced to India during the late seventeenth century.

The smuggling of seven coffee beans from Yemen to India by an Indian pilgrim in 1670 marked its initial arrival.

The Dutch, who occupied parts of India during the 17th century, played a role in spreading coffee cultivation.

However, it was during the British Raj in the mid-nineteenth century that commercial coffee farming fully flourished, particularly from the Mysore region.

The Coffee Board of India

It is a statutory organization that was constituted under Section (4) of the Coffee Act, 1942.

It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The Board comprises 33 Members including the Chairperson, who is the Chief Executive and it functions from Bangalore.

The Board mainly focuses its activities in the areas of research, extension, development, market intelligence, external & internal promotion for coffee.